The French Protestant military chaplaincy (APA in French) started its work 170 years ago. The Lutheran Church of Les Billettes in Paris hosts a free exhibition, dedicated to the anniversary, from 3 to 21 September.

The exhibition traces the history of the chaplaincy, which was created in 1854 during the Crimean War, “to work with Protestant military personnel, offering them a place to talk and spiritual support”.

It features photographs by Karine Sicard Bouvatier, who met with 11 Protestant chaplains in the French Armed Forces, to portray “the heart of their little-known profession”, say the organisers.

Her work will be published on 2 October by Olivétan, under the title Une croix sur le treillis (A cross on the wire).

Chaplaincy history

The exhibition was inaugurated on 2 September by Christian Krieger, president of the Protestant Federation of France (FPF), and Etienne Waechter, chief chaplain in charge of recruiting chaplains from the relevant military authorities.

During the event, professor Jean-Yves Carluer gave a talk on the beginnings of the Protestant Chaplaincy in the Armed Forces, called Protestant military chaplains, from yesterday to today: an ongoing mission since 1854.

Furthermore, excerpts from the memoir of Maximilien Reichard, a chaplain who served in the Crimean War (published in 1869), were read, followed by a discussion with Karine Sicard Bouvatier about her photographic work.