All Saints' Chapel, the new 24,000-square-foot building at Camp Allen, the Diocese of Texas' facility near Navasota, was dedicated Aug. 28.

The Rt. Rev. Claude E. Payne, Bishop of Texas, officiated and some 2,500 persons participated in the event. More than 100 members of the clergy, including five bishops, and a 120-voice choir were on hand for the Eucharist. Retired Bishops Anselmo Carral, Maurice M. Benitez and Scott Field Bailey blessed the largely wooden furnishings and appointments along with Bishop Suffragan Leo Alard.

In his sermon, Bishop Payne praised the vision of Bishop Clinton S. Quin, third Bishop of Texas, who founded Camp Allen.

"Our vision stems from the vision given us by Jesus," Bishop Payne said. "There is a power available through faith ... to announce who we are and what we are about as a Community of Miraculous Expectation."

The service included the ordination of two deacons, the Rev. Jim Stockton and the Rev. Justin Lindstrom.

The Rev. David Thames, director of Camp Allen, said it was important for the facility to be shared with other churches.

"Other groups are anxious to use our facilities now that they are hearing about the chapel and broadened facilities," Fr. Thames said. "We must share this space ... our theology of Anglicanism encourages this very sharing."

The new building includes 14,000 square feet of meeting rooms on its lower level. Camp Allen has been used for large gatherings, including a House of Bishops' meeting, and will be the site of the diocesan convention in 2001.