Breaking: Gettysburg Civil War Chapel Burns to the Ground

GETTYSBURG, Pennsylvania, December 3, 2010– Around 3:30 a.m. today, the Gettysburg Log

Chapel, a reconstructed Civil War chapel, burned to the ground. The reconstructed Chapel was built

four years ago with permits from the Borough and received the Chamber of Commerce’s

Beautification Award earlier this year. The Chapel stood to offer visitors the same hope and peace

that Civil War chaplains extended to men who fought and died on the battlefield.

Just over two weeks ago, Liberty Institute sent a letter to the Borough on behalf of the Chapel

following the Borough’s notice to vacate. The many supporters of the Civil War Chapel also

announced the launch of a public campaign to help save the Chapel and are asking people to sign a

petition of support. Visit www.SaveTheCivilWarChapel.com for more information.

In regard to the fire, Liberty Institute released the following statement:

“Earlier this morning we were shocked to learn that the Gettysburg Log Chapel and several other

buildings were destroyed or severely damaged by fire. The circumstances of the fire are under

investigation, but it appears that the fire may have been deliberately set. We contacted the FBI and

have been told that ATF and other officials from the National Church Arson Task Force are joining the

investigation. Burning down a church is a federal crime under the Church Arson Prevention Act of

1996…”