National Civil War Chaplains Museum

“I can imagine a no more rewarding career. And any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile, I think can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction: "I served in the United States Navy." -John F. Kennedy

For 251 years, the chaplains of the United States Navy have tended to the souls of Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen around the world. On the sea and in the field, the ministers of the U.S. Navy Chaplain Corps have demonstrated their commitment to the spiritual and physical needs of their flock in times of hardship and distress. For their valor, Navy chaplains have earned two Medals of Honor, the Navy Cross, and the Silver Star. Five warships have borne the name of Navy chaplains, with one currently in service. From the Civil War to today, Sixteen Navy chaplains have given their lives in service to our nation.

The legacy of the Navy chaplain continues with their service. From chapel services on base to evening prayers at sea, the Chaplain’s Museum seeks to showcase the legacy of the ministers throughout our nation’s rich maritime history which reflects the highest ideals of honor, courage, and commitment.

Photo description: A Navy chaplain conducts church services for troops aboard a Coast Guard, manned assault transport bound for combat zones, using a five-inch gun mount for his pulpit.

Visit the Chaplains Museum to learn more about the history of Navy chaplains and their enduring legacy of service, courage, and sacrifice.

Help the Chaplains Museum expand our collection and add new exhibits! Look for the "Donate" section at the link in our bio. 
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The Chaplains Museum will be closed Thursday, October 15 through Saturday, October 17 for Fall Break.

Regular Fall semester hours resume Monday, October 19. ...

Today we remember the beginning of the Afghanistan War, which started on October 7, 2001. Known officially as Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), this was the U.S.’ military campaigns in response to the September 11 terrorist attacks. Over the course of the 13-year operation, the U.S. lost one and only chaplain in combat, Chaplain Dale Goetz. Today, we honor his life and sacrifice.

From an early point in his life, Goetz felt a distinct call to serve the Lord. Following his four-year service in the U.S. Air Force, he attended Maranatha Baptist College, where he met his wife Christina, and Central Baptist Theological Seminary of Minneapolis, where he earned his Master of Divinity. In 2004, he was commissioned as a chaplain to the U.S. Army and began his service in Iraq.
The night before his deployment to Afghanistan (2010), Chaplain Goetz and his family attended a chapel service at which they sang “Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee.” At the close of the hymn, Christina could not help but think that those words were a message of something to come, and that something came a few weeks later.

On August 30, an improvised explosive device (IED) hit troops on the outskirts of a military base in Afghanistan. Quickly, Chaplain Goetz rushed out, bringing comfort and aid to those in the explosion. Almost instantaneously, a second IED detonated, killing Chaplain Goetz and four other soldiers. Upon hearing the news of her husband’s death, Christina remained steadfast in her faith, saying that “the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

The bravery and sacrifice of Chaplain Goetz demonstrate what chaplains risk by putting their lives on the line to serve others.

Image 1: Chaplain Dale Goetz and his wife, Christina.

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

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