Discover the Sacrifice and Service of U.S. Military Chaplains in Wartime

The Chaplains Museum will be closed Saturday, October 4.
Please join our staff and volunteers at New London Day 2025.

We will also be closed Thursday, October 9 through Saturday, October 11 for Fall Break. Regular hours resume Monday, October 13.

National Civil War Chaplains Museum

Throughout American history, military chaplains have exemplified servant leadership in the midst of the challenges of division and war as they worked to meet the spiritual needs of men and women in uniform.

Located on the campus of Liberty University, the Chaplains Museum features an extensive collection of objects and artifacts that tell the stories of U.S. military chaplains in the camp, on the battlefield, and among prisoners of war. Visitors will learn how chaplains from diverse backgrounds have used a variety of means and methods to carry out their ministry during times of war.

About

Serving with a Unique Purpose

Founded in 2005 as a private organization, the Chaplains Museum is now part of the History Department at Liberty University. Our mission is to showcase the service of U.S. Military Chaplains throughout American history through historical research and the collection and preservation of related artifacts.

The museum also functions as a student laboratory for research, exhibit design, collections care, and special projects.

The Chaplains Museum:

Collects, preserves, and studies objects and documents related to military chaplains
Encourages student research in topics related to religion in wartime, specifically in the context of military chaplains and their ministry
Presents programs that highlight the role of chaplains and military service in shaping the spiritual lives of those who serve in the armed forces

Donate

Support the Chaplain’s Museum through an online donation.

All donated funds will go toward acquiring, caring for, and interpreting items related to the service of U.S. military Chaplains and the religious lives of servicemembers as well as events and activities that further the mission of the Museum.

Give to the Chaplain’s Museum

As part of the History Department at Liberty University, the Chaplains Museum has become an active learning laboratory for students.

Learn More About Chaplain History

Students in the Chaplains Museum conduct research on the history of chaplains and objects in our collection. Learn along with them by reading our posts below and following us on Instagram.

Follow Chaplains Museum on Instagram

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Sep 18

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On this day in 1947, President Harry S. Truman signed the National Security Act, formally establishing the United States Air Force as an independent branch of the U.S. military. Prior to this legislation, air operations were managed within the U.S. Army, primarily through its aviation divisions.

The origins of military aviation trace back to August 1, 1907, when the U.S. Army Signal Corps formed the Aeronautical Division to explore early aircraft and aviation technologies. By the time of World War II, this modest initiative had evolved into the U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF), which played a critical role in achieving victory through strategic bombing campaigns and air superiority.

Recognizing the growing importance of air power, post-war leaders determined that a dedicated air service was essential. The National Security Act of 1947 formalized this vision, creating the U.S. Air Force to focus on aerial warfare, reconnaissance, and global mobility. This restructuring not only distinguished the Air Force from the Army but also catalyzed advancements in aerospace technology and space exploration. As we commemorate this milestone, we honor the strategic foresight and technological progress, made possible by the USAAF, that continue to safeguard our nation.

Not long after its establishment, the U.S. Air Force named its first Chief of Chaplains. Reverend Charles Irving Carpenter served as the first Chief of Chaplains for the USAAF from 1948 to 1958.

Visit the Chaplains Museum to learn more about the U.S. Air Force and the inspiring contributions of its chaplains!

Image 1: President Harry S. Truman’s signature on the National Security Act of 1947 which officially established the United States Air Force as a separate and co-equal branch of the United States Armed Forces.

Image 2: Stuart Symington, the first Secretary of the Air Force being sworn in by Chief Justice Fred Vinson on Sept. 18, 1947, establishing the United States Air Force as an independent arm of the U.S. military

Image 3: Reverend Charles Irving Carpenter, the first Chief of Chaplains for the U.S. Air Force.

Help the Chaplains Museum expand our collection and add new exhibits! Look for the " ...

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Sep 17

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Happy Constitution Day! On this day in 1787, the U.S. Constitution was signed. As the country’s legal framework for governance, the Constitution both guarantees the rights of U.S. citizens and limits government involvement in those rights. A model example of this is the provision of military chaplains to U.S. service members.

The first words of the First Amendment to the Constitution set the parameters for military chaplaincy: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...” The government does not dictate the message of chaplains or require servicemembers to participate in religious activities. Instead, chaplains ensure the protection of religious freedom in the nation’s military as they have done for 250 years.

Stay tuned for more about the constitutional basis for military chaplains and their role in America’s founding as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary over the coming year!

Help the Chaplains Museum expand our collection and add new exhibits! Look for the "Donate" section at the link in our bio. 

#chaplainsmuseum #chaplain #militarychaplain #libertyuniversity #constitutionday #firstamendment #constitution ...

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Sep 13

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On this day in 1976, the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) took a bold step to shape U.S. military chaplaincy. Responding to a request from the Pacific Presbytery, the PCA General Assembly laid the foundation for the Presbyterian and Reformed Commission on Chaplains and Military Personnel (PRCC).

By 1978, after collaboration with sister denominations in Montgomery, Alabama, the PRCC was born. Representing over 100,000 members, it empowered PCA chaplains to serve with excellence, meeting Department of Defense standards while staying true to Reformed theology and the Great Commission.

Today, PRCC chaplains provide vital pastoral care, strengthening the spiritual resilience of U.S. service members worldwide.

Image: PRCC Chaplain, Chaplain Mitchell Sutton, ministering to soldiers on the field.

Help the Chaplains Museum preserve this legacy! Visit the "Donate" link in our bio to support new exhibits.

#ChaplainsMuseum #MilitaryChaplain #Presbyterian #SpiritualResilience #LibertyUniversity ...

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Sep 11

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Today we remember the 24th anniversary of 9/11 and honor the great sacrifice of the many heroes who lost their lives and loved ones to the tragic event.

After the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, Chaplain Gregory N. Todd of the U.S. Coast Guard was rushed to the World Trade Center to minister to those involved in the destructive event. He was the first Navy chaplain to respond to the damage but soon organized a Coast Guard Chaplain Emergency Response Team for the same purpose. Today, Chaplain Todd serves as the 28th U.S. Navy Chief of Chaplains, continuing his ministry to servicemembers and their families.

Since 1986, when he was commissioned into the U.S. Navy Reserve, Chaplain Todd has been active in the military. Once he received his Bachelor of Arts from Concordia College and his Master of Divinity from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, he retired from his parish in Illinois and was assigned to active duty at a naval base in California. For several years, Todd served in various places, including Kuwait, for Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Afghanistan, for Operation Enduring Freedom.

In 2022, Chaplain Todd was appointed to the position of Navy Chief of Chaplains and promoted to the rank of two-star rear admiral. As he continues to serve roughly 570,000 servicemembers in the Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps, Todd provides a ministry of presence to many.

Stay tuned to hear about other current Chief of Chaplains!

Help the Chaplains Museum expand our collection and add new exhibits! Look for the “Donate” section at the link in our bio.

#chaplainsmuseum #militarychaplains #chaplains #libertyuniversity #chiefofchaplains ...

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Plan Your Visit to the Chaplains Museum

Monday through Friday 12:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Summer Hours (June, July, August)
Monday, Thursday, Friday 12:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The museum is located in the Jerry Falwell Library on Liberty University’s Campus. Learn more about our location and parking.

Explore

Devoted to Service

Historically, U.S. military chaplains have performed many roles. They have preached, acted as personal counselors, cared for the sick and dying, handled military postal services, administered literacy programs, and in some cases even joined in battle. View the following Chaplains Museum exhibits and research sources and explore our online collections catalog.

Introducing the Chaplaincy: A History of Service

Shiloh Chapel: Religion and the Bible in Times of War

Partners in Service: Service Organizations Partnering With Chaplains

Service to the Suffering: Chaplains' Ministry in the Hospitals and Prison Camps

Diversity in Service: Unifying With a Common Purpose

Service on the Battlefield: Chaplains in the Midst of Battle

Service on the Homefront: Chaplains Ministry to the Families of Service Members

Chaplains in the Service of the Gospel: Evangelism in the Military

Take the accessible-friendly route to the Chaplains Museum.

Location

Getting to the Museum

The Chaplains Museum can be found on the terrace level of the Jerry Falwell Library. The Library’s main exterior entrance is located at the southern end of the Academic Lawn.

Visitor parking passes are required daily excluding weekends. For further assistance or questions about the parking policy, see LUPD’s visitor parking information.

For directions to campus, shuttle information, and more, explore the university’s visitor’s guide.

Contact

(434) 582-7090

chaplainsmuseum@liberty.edu

Chaplains Museum

Liberty University Department of History

1971 University Blvd.

Lynchburg, VA 24515

Follow us on Instagram where we regularly share highlights from chaplaincy history.

Discover the Sacrifice and Service of U.S. Military Chaplains in Wartime

National Civil War Chaplains Museum

Throughout American history, military chaplains have exemplified servant leadership in the midst of the challenges of division and war as they worked to meet the spiritual needs of men and women in uniform.

About

Serving with a Unique Purpose

Donate

Learn More About Chaplain History

Click Images to Read Full Post

Plan Your Visit to the Chaplains Museum

Explore

Devoted to Service

Museum Exhibits

Research

Collection Catalog

Location

Getting to the Museum

Contact

(434) 582-7090