BURNET COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — On Pam Stevenson's drive home from teaching a bible study class at the Ellen Halbert Unit Women's Prison, a message she couldn't ignore hit her as she desperately cried out to God. Pam Stevenson opens up to Jala Washington about journey to build a chapel for a Wome n's prison. (KXAN photos/Ed Zavala). Pam Stevenson opens up to Jala Washington about journey to build a chapel for a Women's prison. (KXAN photos/Ed Zavala). "[I just remember saying], 'what about all these other women who can't get into a class?'" Stevenson said. "And [God] gave me a huge nudge. He said, 'I'm going to build a chapel, and I'm going to invite you to join me.'" Ellen Halbert Unit Women's Prison, Burnet County. (KXAN photos/Ed Zavala). At the time, Stevenson had been volunteering at the prison for about 10 years. The Ellen Halbert Unit is a substance abuse felony punishment facility for women who are in recovery. Many are drug or alcohol addicts, and survivors of assault. They've been given the chance to turn their lives around. Most are incarcerated in the unit between six and eight months. There are various chaplaincy programs the prison offers. But there was one big problem: not enough space. Joseph's Hammer Stevenson had no idea where to start when she said God instructed her to build the chapel. She would go on to form the nonprofit, Joseph's Hammer, to spread the word about what she was being divinely guided to do. Chapel construction at the Ellen Halbert Unit Prison in Burnet County. (Photos provided by: Pam Stevenson). Chapel construction at the Ellen Halbert Unit Prison in Burnet County. (Photos provided by: Pam Stevenson). Chapel construction at the Ellen Halbert Unit Prison in Burnet County. (Photos provided by: Pam Stevenson). Chapel construction at the Ellen Halbert Unit Prison in Burnet County. (Photos provided by: Pam Stevenson). Chapel construction at the Ellen Halbert Unit Prison in Burnet County. (Photos provided by: Pam Stevenson). "You know, people just looked at me like, 'You have got to be kidding, you must have lost your mind,'" Stevenson said with a laugh. "[They thought,] 'What? What on Earth?' And I really didn't have sense enough to stop.” Stevenson formed a board and received tremendous support from her church in Marble Falls. She and those who joined her mission went around to churches to raise money for the chapel. Chaplain of Ellen Halbert Unit Prison sketched new chapel. (KXAN photos/Jala Washington). She shared her vision with anyone who would listen. The Halbert Unit's chaplain brought that vision to life, sketching a drawing of the chapel that would stand tall on the prison grounds nearly a decade later. Joseph's Hammer raised over $2 million. Seven years later, the chapel sits on the Halbert Unit prison grounds, where women will now have a safe place to go to worship. And the brand new facility also has classrooms and more space for rehabilitation programs the women can take advantage of as a part of their recovery. "I don't understand how God works," Stevenson said. "I just know that he puts things on our hearts." Inmates rejoice Though the chapel's foundation is complete, it is still a work in progress. It's empty, and final construction work is still happening. However, four inmates — Marian Ortiz, Jeri Lynn Smith, LaTosha Mitchell and Brichette Wells — had the opportunity to see it for the first time. Each of the women went through a recovery program called "Bridges to Life." Chaplain and inmates pose with Pam Stevenson, founder of Joseph's Hammer, in new chapel. (KXAN photos/Jala Washington). Inmates at the Ellen Halbert Unit in Burnet County sit down with Jala Washington. (KXAN photos/Ed Zavala). New chapel and facility at the Ellen Halbert Unit in Burnet County. (KXAN photos/Jala Washington). New chapel and facility at the Ellen Halbert Unit in Burnet County. (KXAN photos/Jala Washington). Outside of the Ellen Halbert Unit in Burnet County. (KXAN photos/Jala Washington). "I almost started crying," Smith said. "My prayer is that I get to have at least one service over here before I go." Stevenson walked through the facility with the women, showing them what will be where, once it's ready for inmates and prison staff to use. Smith broke out into a gospel song in the chapel, as the women shared what having this space means to them. All inmates whom KXAN reporter Jala Washington spoke with have children. Their incarceration sentences range from 15-35 years for organized crime, selling drugs, and more. "One thing I've learned from this is that you are not the darkness that you have endured," Wells said. "You are the light that never surrendered." In their darkest moments, they said they never envisioned having a stranger, who they now know is Stevenson, care enough to build a chapel for women in jail. "Somebody poured into us when we were written off by society," Ortiz said. History of Texas prisons, and why some have no chapels There are a number of prisons in Texas that don’t have chapels. According to Stevenson, in the late 1990s, when new prisons were built, the state ran out of money to add chapels. Communities can raise money to get a chapel built on a prison’s property, usually led by nonprofits, just like Joseph’s Hammer. And other communities have done this. Stevenson still plans to volunteer at the Ellen Halbert Unit, teaching bible study classes. The impact on the inmates' lives is evident. Stevenson said the process of getting the chapel built has changed her too. Pam Stevenson holds sketch of Ellen Halbert Unit chapel. (KXAN photos/Jala Washington). "Just to be able to go in and say, you know what, I'm no different than you, and I want you to know that you can walk out of here and your life can be wonderful," Stevenson said. The Halbert Unit Chapel is now state property and is set to be fully ready for inmates to use within weeks. There will be a grand opening ceremony and celebration in June. ...read more read less