Chapel of the Four Chaplains

"This inter-faith shrine...will stand through long generations to teach Americans that as men can die heroically as brothers, so they should live together in mutual faith and good will."
President Harry S Truman

On February 3, 1951 a unique inter-faith chapel was dedicated at Temple University in Philadelphia. The Chapel of the Four Chaplains was dedicated by President Harry S Truman, and Reverend Daniel A. Poling, Clark Poling's father, presided over the activities. Reverend Poling, along with members of the other Chaplains' families were largely responsible for the monumental effort that went into getting the Chapel Completed.

Over the years, these surviving family members have worked long and hard at keeping the story of four valiant men of God alive. Though Rabbi Goode's daughter Rosalie Goode Fried never really got to know her father, she was only 3 years old at the time of his death, she spent much of her life calling to mind the sacrifice, service, and inter-faith camaraderie of the four men.

chaplains_dedication.jpg (34152 bytes)

President Truman's hopes that the Chapel of the Four Chaplains would "stand through long generations" may have been somewhat optimistic. Less than 50 years after the dedication of the Chapel, many Americans have never heard the story of the Four Chaplains. At a time when our Nation cries out for heroes and role-models of strength, character, and inspiration, the passing of time and fading memories obscure those very heroes we need so badly, from our consciousness.

In the last couple of years Reverend David Fox, the minister nephew of Chaplain George Fox, and Rabbi Goode's daughter Rosalie Goode Fried, put together a foundation to create a permanent memorial to the Four Chaplains. Earlier this year (February, 1999) Mrs. Fried died in an automobile accident, but the project goes forward. Though the original Chapel of the Four Chaplains no longer exists to provide an inspirational, inter-faith shrine; the work of the Chapel of the Four Chaplains continues. They host an Annual Awards Banquet each February to honor Americans of patriotism, character, and sacrifice. They provide guidelines for Four Chaplains Services that are held annually by many churches and synagogues. They provide, at a small cost, Four Chaplains memorabilia, photos, and posters. They sponsor an annual Scholarship Essay and Lifesaver Contest for youth. Twice a year they also publish a large newsletter. In addition, from their temporary offices at a mall in Pennsylvania, they dream and plan for a new Chapel of the Four Chaplains, which they hope to see built in the coming years.

chaplains_chapel.jpg (29492 bytes)

Chapel of the Four Chaplains
P.O. Box 1943
Valley Forge, PA 19482-1943

Visit the CHAPEL OF THE FOUR CHAPLAINS on-line.

Visit the website of the Immortal Chaplains Foundation

WEBMASTER'S NOTE:

From the birth of the Hall of Heroes website I have set guidelines for myself in its development. Among these I determined that:
**I will promote no cause other than patriotism,
**I will not use it as a forum to further any agenda, and
**I will avoid any commercialization of the rich heritage that is America.

The future of the CHAPEL OF THE FOUR CHAPLAINS is so important, however, I feel I would be remiss not to promote its cause. Pam and I have committed ourselves to send, in February, the largest contribution we can afford to support this effort. We would challenge others to consider doing likewise. I would also encourage visitors to these pages to share the information on the Four Chaplains in their own church or synagogue. This is an effort houses of worship from around our Nation should keep in their prayers and support as a mission. I would challenge these churches and synagogues to remember the Four Chaplains, especially in February when services are still held in many places to remember the brotherhood, faith and sacrifice of the Four Chaplains. If even half of these houses of worship would designate one special offering in February to support this vital inter-faith effort, the history of the Four Chaplains can be preserved for future generations.
Sincerely,
Doug Sterner

chaplains_art_seiden.jpg (21421 bytes)
The Four Chaplains by Art Seiden
Courtesy of Seymour "Sy" Brody, author:
"Jewish Heroes and Heroines of America"
(Used by permission)