Tucked away in the heart of Austin's Tarrytown neighborhood is a quiet sanctuary for reflection – All Faiths Chapel (originally The Chapel for the Children) by architect David Graeber. Mid Tex Mod is thrilled to offer this rare opportunity to experience this architectural masterpiece.

All Faiths Chapel, completed in 1961, provides a space for religious services at the Austin State Supported Living Center (ASSLC), a state-operated living center providing service and support to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Its A-frame design features a soaring, 52-foot high continuously skylighted cathedral ceiling. Artist Blossom Burns’ stained glass, “Miracle in the Sky,” adorns the gable ends. The chapel’s exquisite interior includes handmade copper light fixtures and door handles depicting birds in flight. All Faiths Chapel was an early commission, and labor of love, for Graeber, who graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelor of Architecture in 1955. His distinguished career included commissions for NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston and the United States Embassy in Mexico City.

We’ll explore the chapel complex then learn about its history and architecture from Rev. Dr. Paul D. Kraus, BCC, Director of the Department of Pastoral Care Services at the Austin State Supported Living Center; Karen Kincaid Brady, MA, MSHP candidate at UT Austin; and Jason John Paul Haskins, AIA.

Please note that the campus is home to a number of residents. All attendees must be respectful of this. You are welcome to photograph the chapel but photos of or with residents are not allowed.

Directions to the Chapel: If you are driving west on 38th Street, continue on until it changes to 35th street. Cross MoPac and make a left at the yellow blinking lights to enter the Austin SSLC Campus. Continue past the stop sign and you will see the Chapel on your right (the administration building is on your left). Go just a little further and turn right into the parking lot. The speed limit is 10 MPH to protect Austin SSLC’s residents and staff. Please respect this.

About Our Speakers

Jason John Paul Haskins, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, is a church-building researcher, design consultant, and photographer who writes about liturgy, architecture, and history on the blog Locus Iste (http://locusiste.org). He holds a B.S. in Architectural Studies and an M.Arch from the University of Texas with a research emphasis on the architecture of the 19-20th-century liturgical movements. Jason currently practices with Bercy Chen Studio in Austin where, in addition to architectural design, he continues to develop participatory pre-design programming processes and architect-led development with a focus on mixed-use, deeply-affordable and family-friendly housing. He has also been a digital media librarian, computer programmer, and noise-musician.

Karen Kincaid Brady, MA, is currently working on a Master of Science in Historic Preservation at the University of Texas at Austin. She holds a BA and MA in History, and a Certificate in Historic Preservation from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Karen also serves as an Adjunct Lecturer in History at San Antonio College, in San Antonio, Texas. In 2017, Karen completed a book, the Hangars on the Banks of the St. John’s River: the Landplane Hangar Historic District at NAS Jacksonville, as Section 106 mitigation efforts. The project also resulted in a museum display under the same name at the Jacksonville Museum of Science and History. Karen is currently completing the Nomination Form to list the All Faiths Chapel on the National Register of Historic Places.

Rev. Dr. Paul D. Kraus, board certified chaplain, Director, Department of Pastoral Care Services, Austin State Supported Living Center (Austin SSLC), Health & Human Services Commission, (HHSC), Texas:

Dr. Kraus has spent 37 years in pastoral ministry and pastoral care & counseling, serving parishes, healthcare facilities and academic institutions. He is currently the director of pastoral care services and chaplain at the Austin State Supported Living Center, a residential community serving approximately 200 residents with disabilities.

In addition to his full-time ministry at the Center, Dr. Kraus teaches pastoral care classes at nearby Theological Seminaries. He teaches the following topics in graduate level studies: Disability Theology, Ministry in Times of Crisis, Multiculturalism and Diversity Issues, and Leadership. He has authored and peer reviewed over 20 professional national and international publications in his career.

Dr. Kraus is also a board member with the Humanitarians in the Arts, a member of the Seminary of the Southwest Advisory Council for the master of chaplaincy and pastoral care and spiritual formation degree programs, and president of IACC, an international board certifying chaplain organization.