Groundbreaking ceremonies for a chapel at Orange Correctional Center will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 10 a.m. at 2110 Clarence Waters Road in Hillsborough.

The Peace Center, a 3,500-square-foot project envisioned by Chaplain Ken Barker over 15 years ago, will house a large meeting area, a chaplain's office, kitchenette and storage rooms. It will host meetings, weekly worship service, Bible studies and other activities.

The Alamance/Orange Prison Ministry, a non-profit agency that supports the chaplaincy at the prison, has coordinated fundraising for the chapel project. Donors include local churches, inmates and individuals, including two $25,000 gifts from Olin T. Binkley Baptist Church and Chapel Hill Church of Christ.

Over 500 individuals, businesses and 37 churches participated in the "1,000 Brick Campaign" which raised over $100,000 for the project. Inmates generated donations by performing songs at local churches and by making individual donations. Several local businesses and organizations donated building supplies and other materials. No state funds are being spent on the chapel project.