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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

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  • Artifact
Wars & Conflicts
  • World War II 1939-1945
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Chaplain's Kit belonging to LTJG William Finch


Black leather case with handle and metal edges. interior is purple with dividers

Title: Chaplain's Kit, LTJG William C. Finch, Methodist, USS Bingham (APA-225)
Accession #: NHHC 2019.012.002
Circa: 1940's
Size: varied
Medium: glass, fabric, metal, wood
Location: Headquarters Artifact Collection, Naval History and Heritage Command

One World War II-era Protestant Chaplain’s kit. The kit is contained in a black leather case with locks and a leather handle. "William C Finch/Chaplain USNR" is written on the obverse in white. The interior is red velvet with wood latches to hold accessories in place. Accessories include a chalice, a glass jar, a cork spout, a silver bowl, two glass cups for candles, two silver candlestick holders, a plain silver cross, a capped cylindrical tube for storing communion wafers, two white embroidered cloths, one plain white cloth, one embroidered cloth with a board in the center, and a green dividing cloth with applied gold fabric cross. An identification card of a plane was also found inside the kit.

William Carrington Finch was a Methodist Chaplain during World War II. Born in Chase City, VA in 1909, he graduated from Hampden Sydney College in 1929 and Biblical Seminary, NYC in 1934. He received his PhD from Drew University in 1937. He enlisted in the US Navy Reserve on 8 February 1944, assigned to the 13th Naval District from 5 June to 30 November and to the USS Bingham (APA-225) from 4 December 1944 through October 1945. Chaplain Finch was released from service 4 December 1945.

Chaplain kits like this were compact and mobile allowing the chaplain to easily pack and move their religious equipment to various locations. They enabled chaplains to celebrate religious services in the field or in any available temporary location.   


Anointing oil jar and spout with cork


Silver cross on base from Finch chaplains kit tarnished


silver candlesticks from Finch Chaplain's Kit


white fabric kerchiefs from Finch Chaplains Kit


Green divider, silk with gold cross and loops for hanging divider


Glasses from chaplain's kit finch


Silver chalice tarnished


small silver cup possibly for holding vestements from Finch Chaplains Kit


silver tube for holding vestements. found photographed vestements at donation


White folded cloth from Finch chaplains kit


Round wafers with raised image religious depictions of Jesus

Published: Fri Apr 24 11:56:11 EDT 2020