Camp Pendleton Chapel

SOHO's Dedication to San Diego’s Adobe Legacy
Camp Pendleton Chapel
U.S. Marine Corps Camp Pendelton, Oceanside
November/December 2024

Flood waters washed through the chapel adobe walls.

In the foreground, a mud and straw mixing pit is used to make adobe bricks, while wood molds are seen behind it.

The Ranch House Chapel at Camp Pendleton holds a significant place in both military and local history. Disaster struck in 1993 when a severe flood breached a levee, devastating the chapel's structure and tearing away two of its long walls. This destruction was part of the same torrential rains that damaged several other adobes in the county, including St. Francis Chapel at Warner Springs.

In the wake of the destruction, a remarkable community effort emerged, with SOHO taking a lead role in this effort by teaching the marines and volunteers how to make the adobe bricks, from the mud on site, an essential step in repairing the chapel's walls.

The Marine Corps provided critical support for the rebuilding process, collaborating with volunteers to facilitate completion of the chapel's restoration. Together, they not only rebuilt the chapel but also re-engineered the structure, enhancing its resilience against future challenges.

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