The idea of an outdoor monument to the Four Chaplains of the U.S.A.T. Dorchester was conceived by Timothy Schmalz, a master sculptor who has created stunning pieces based, for the most part, on religious themes.

In his work, Timothy wants to be sure to tell a story and he has continued that practice with the Four Chaplains monument. The front of the monument depicts the chaplains standing on the deck of the Dorchester, its bow rising up behind them as it slips into the frigid water of the North Atlantic. Each of the chaplains is shown in a different posture of prayer.  Eyewitness accounts of the sinking of the ship relate that the last glimpse anyone had of the Four Chaplains had them standing on the deck, arms linked, praying and singing hymns.

On the back of the monument, Timothy has sculpted an angel holding four life jackets. The story of the Four Chaplains relates that each of the men gave their own life jacket to a sailor when the supply ran out. They gave their lives so that others could live and, in so doing, embodied the words of Sacred Scripture: “There is no greater love than to give your life for a friend.” The position of the angel evokes memories of a ship’s figurehead – a popular practice of putting a carved figure, often a female, on the prow of the ship.

The sculpture is cast in bronze and weighs almost two thousand pounds. With its granite base, it stands at approximately sixteen feet! The sculpture was installed by the team at Creative Pavers with the generosity of United Crane. It was dedicated by the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, Archbishop of the Military Services, USA, on Sunday, February 3, 2013 – the 70^th anniversary of the sinking of the Dorchester.