CUMBERLAND, Ky. — An alumnus of Cumberland High School has built a chapel inside the public school with permission from district officials.

        School officials describe the privately funded chapel as a “quiet room” and say it gives students a place to escape from their troubles and pray, read or just sit quietly and relax.

        Opponents of the chapel, however, argue that it establishes religion in the school.

        “I find this so surprising, I'm almost at a loss for words,” said Steven Benen, spokesman for the Washington, D.C.-based Americans United for the Separation of Church and State. “They are inviting a lawsuit they are certain to lose. This is obviously and patent ly unconstitutional.”

        The chapel is tucked away in a former third-floor storage room. It has three padded pews, a hand-made pulpit and altars and a display of the Lord's Prayer.

        Retired coal miner Don Disney, a lifelong Cumberland resident who graduated from the school, was allowed to construct the 9-by-12 foot room by the school's site-based council. Materials were donated by local businesses. The pews were given by the Cumberland Church of God.

        “To me, it's as good as the Crystal Cathedral,” Mr. Disney said, referring to the California church, led by Robert H. Schuller, that holds nearly 3,000 people.

        The chapel opened two weeks ago and was dedicated during a ceremony that included nearly a dozen local clergy and some students, Mr. Disney said.

        Brad Hughes, spokesman for the Kentucky School Boards Association, said the chapel falls into a legal gray area as long as it remains open to all groups.

        He added, however, that posting the Lord's Prayer might not stand up because it espouses a particular religious belief.
       
       

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