Our annual Mass honoring the sacrifice, bravery and courage of Father John P. Washington and the Chaplains of the Dorchester.

On February 3, 1943, 81 years ago. the United States Army Transport ship, Dorchester, was torpedoed in the waters of the North Atlantic by a German U-Boat. As the ship began to sink beneath the icy surface, four men moved about the troops offering comfort and encouragement. They gave up their life jackets for others and with locked arms, they prayed as the ship they stood upon sank. The men were the chaplains on the ship – a Rabbi, Alexander Goode; two Protestant ministers, Reverend George Fox and Reverend Clark Poling; and a Catholic priest, Father John P. Washington. Fr. Washington’s last assignment before being deployed into the army was here at St Stephen’s.

Visit our website pages for more information about the Sanctuary and the history of the Four Chaplains.