About Oak Ridge, Tennessee:
The rolling hills and narrow valleys of East Tennessee proved to be the ideal location for the top-secret atomic weapons program developed here beginning in 1942. Oak Ridge, Tennessee was home to several massive Manhattan Project facilities employing thousands of workers during and after World War II and was the headquarters for the project after relocating from New York City. These facilities in Oak Ridge operated with one goal in mind—enriching uranium for use in the world’s first atomic bomb.
As horrific as the results of the bomb were, there is no doubt it brought a swift end to the war and saved countless lives that would undoubtedly been lost had the Allies been forced to invade Japan. A full invasion of the Japanese home islands could have resulted in well over 200,000 allied soldiers killed or wounded, with some estimates reaching as high as two to four million. These high estimates, based on the intensity of previous Pacific battles like Okinawa, and the fanatical reistance expected in defense of the Japanese homeland, were a significant factor in the eventual decision to use atomic bombs instead of invading.
Today the city is home to a wealth of historic sites that tell the remarkable story of the Manhattan Project and the dawn of the atomic age. Drop by their visitor center to speak with park rangers, stamp your passport book, pick up a junior ranger book, and learn about ranger programs.
About the Chapel on the Hill in Oak Ridge, Tennessee:
The Chapel on the Hill in Oak Ridge, Tennessee was the city’s main church during World War II. Dedicated on September 30, 1943, and completed late in October 1943, it was originally a multi-denominational chapel shared by Catholic, Protestant and Jewish congregations. The “Chapel on the Hill” at Oak Ridge is a surviving example of a 700 series military chapel. These chapels were not meant to last long, but here you will find one that has stood the test of time.
The Chapel on the Hill is now administered by the National Park Service and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.
Traveling to the Chapel on the Hill in Oak Ridge, Tennessee:
Oak Ridge, Tennessee, is in the eastern part of the state, located in both Anderson and Roane counties, about 20-25 miles west of Knoxville.
By air, you can fly into McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) in Knoxville or Gatlinburg Airport (GKT).
Address: 85 Kentucky Ave, Oak Ridge, TN 37830
Phone: (865) 482-1016