New Mexico VA Medical Center Renames its Chapel in Honor of the Four Chaplains

On February 3, 2023, a renaming ceremony took place at the Raymond G. Murphy Medical Center’s chapel. The hospital chapel’s name was officially changed to Dorchester Chapel in honor of the Four Chaplains that died during the sinking of the USAT Dorchester that took place 80 years ago, this month.

Chaplains George Fox, Alexander Goode, Clark Poling, and John Washington were the four chaplains who died while rescuing civilian and military personnel as the American ship, SS Dorchester, sank during World War II, in what was called the second-worst sea disaster during this war. The chaplains worked together, helping other soldiers and civilians board lifeboats and even gave their own life jackets. As the ship sank, so too did the 4 chaplains, as they said prayers and sang hymns before going down with the ship.

NMVAHCS Chaplain, Arthur Nyanfor, has seen many other VA facilities have their chapel name changed in the past and saw Four Chapains Memorial Day as a great opportutnity to get our medical center’s chapel changed.

“The change is signifigant as we can now refer to the chapel as Dorchester Chapel, instead of just referring to it as the chapel,” said Nyanfor.

For many chaplains, including NMVAHCS Chaplain, Laura Kuster, the story of the four chaplains continues to inspire and guide them, especially working as a VA chaplain.

“I still cannot describe the feelings of honor that fill me to be even remotely identified with the four men who gave up their life-preservers and stood arm in arm as the Dorchester sank 80 years ago,” said Chaplain Kuster.

A cataclysmic event such as the sinking of the USAT Dorchester is one that so many will never forget. According to the Army Chaplain Corps history, on February 3, 1943, men from various communities, faiths, and no faith backgrounds boarded the U.S. Army Transport Dorchester, one of three ships in a convoy, moving across the Atlantic from Newfoundland to an American base in Greenland. Just 150 miles from its destination, shortly after midnight, an officer aboard the German submarine U2 spotted the USAT Dorchester. He gave orders to fire. Through the pandemonium, panic, chaos, screaming, crying, four Army chaplains worked selflessly to bring light to a very dark situation.

One thing unique about this piece of history is that these chaplains each represented a diverse faith, communities, and experiences. However, with their differences put aside, the chaplains gathered together and provided for the needs of the warriors, thus instilling hope during a perilous time.

Chaplain Nyanfor explained that the new name will be a welcomed reminder in honor of the Four Chaplains Memorial.

“The world has enough light to shine in every direction and in all places. No matter how small, I am that light. I have a duty to let it shine so that others may see, walk, and run. My light cannot be hidden under anything. Although it’s my light, it’s intended for others to see,” said Chaplain Nyanfor.

Let’s hope that this is a positive sign of what is yet to come as we open our chapel doors to the new name of Dorchester Chapel. Let it shine! Let it Shine! Let it Shine!