The Tampa Airport Chapel was built by the Airport Authority and was opened in October, 1998. It is a small room of 350 square feet. The purpose is for private prayer and meditation, as no public worship services are held here. It is equipped with a guest book filled with blank pages where visitors can place brief notes about their trip through the Tampa Airport. We have been pleasantly surprised to discover that our chapel guests have used these blank pages for written prayers, scripture quotes, and private reminisces of appreciation for having a place of retreat in a busy airport.

There have been some weddings here. But not every marriage service is held in the chapel.  Some employees choose weddings in their own homes. And one was held for two passengers who asked that their vows be made downstairs beside a baggage belt - where they first met three years before. 

A memorial service was held for an American Airlines employee who was murdered in her own apartment in Tampa. Over 100 attended this memorial, most of them during the noon service and a smaller number for the 7 PM service held for later shift workers.  

The carpeting inside has a woven compass rose in the center, showing the north direction with a capital "N." This has been provided to assist those who worship in certain directions required by their faith to locate that compass point of the world they choose to face while bowing in prayer.  This chapel is small, but there are several hundred visitors, travelers and employees, who stop in here weekly.

The (Chaplains) make rounds and provide a listening ear.
 
  Story in part from an article Published January 8, 2007
 

Sometimes, people just want a mediator when they're arguing, or someone to stand next to them when they pick music for a memorial service. The chaplain's role is often to provide immediate help, then make recommendations for other support

Shields Moore, 77, is a former hospital and fire department chaplain who works with 10 other part-time volunteers as a chaplain at the Tampa International Airport. The chaplains there held a memorial service when an airline employee was murdered, and conducted a wedding in the third-floor chapel for a New Jersey couple, who had met at TIA while waiting for their luggage.

Airport Chaplains across the country: About 2,000
(About half are part time.)

Chaplains at the Tampa Bay Airport: 7

Chaplain Shields Moore