The first clergyman of any denomination to set foot on Antarctica was Arnold Spencer-Smith (1883–1916), an Anglican priest who was chaplain and photographer for the Ross Sea Party of Shackleton's Imperial Trans Antarctic Expedition.[2] Spencer-Smith set up a chapel in Ponting's darkroom in Scott's Hut at Cape Evans. He arranged an altar with cross and candlesticks and an aumbry where he reserved the Blessed Sacrament; he made a lamp to hang by the aumbry to indicate the real presence. In his diary, Spencer-Smith records when he celebrated Eucharist and how many were present. He also records when he heard confession on the continent. Spencer-Smith was the first clergyman to land in Antarctica, the first to celebrate the Eucharist and the first to die and be buried there.[2]
Although they are used mostly for Christian worship, the Chapel of the Snows has also been used for Buddhist and Baháʼí Faith ceremonies. Some of the buildings are among historically important sites and under protection, such as the Chilean Captain Arturo Prat Base's wooden cross and a Statue of Our Lady of the Carmel.[5]
Around 1900, whaling stations and expedition camps were erected in the larger area. After World War II, some military expeditions explored the region. The International Geophysical Year (1957–1958) marked the end of a long period during the Cold War when scientific interchange between East and West had been seriously interrupted and has since contributed to civil scientific exploration. Since the 1950s, most stations in Antarctica have been constructed exclusively for scientific research. Extended stays in the region can be an extremely stressful experience for the researchers who often have been separated from their families for months at a time.[6]Jesuits, which have had a long tradition of geophysical research in Antarctica, contributed as well to the early Antarctic missions. Notable Jesuit scholars like Edward A. Bradley, Henry F. Birkenhauer, J. Joseph Lynch and Daniel J. Linehan have been among those.[7]
Some churches north of the Antarctic Convergence serve Antarctic territories, such as the Christ Church Cathedral in Stanley, which is the southernmost Anglican cathedral in the world. It serves as the parish church not only for the Falkland Islands, but also South Georgia and the British Antarctic Territory. Punta Arenas in the southern tip of the South American mainland (just north of Tierra del Fuego) also has a Roman Catholic cathedral, which serves the Chilean Antarctic Territory.
Christians have increasingly turned toward Internet communications for fellowship in the 21st century.[9]
Out of nearly 90 stations in Antarctica, half are only used in summer months. Most research stations have a small meeting room dual-purposed for religious assemblies.[10] Larger stations and communities use a separate room, often a makeshift steel container for religious purposes.[10]
The Chapel of the Snows was erected in 1956 as a Christian chapel used by several denominations, at McMurdo Station, Ross Island. The Chapel offers various Protestant and Catholic services, but also allows for meetings of other religions, such as Latter-day Saints, Baháʼís and Buddhists and is used as well for secular groups (e.g. Alcoholics Anonymous). The chapel had been rebuilt after a fire in 1978 and was reconsecrated in 1989.
In 2002 Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow asked for a "Temple for Antarctica" (Храм Антарктиде) and initiated the Trinity Church, Antarctica, a Russian Orthodox church at Bellingshausen Station, South Shetland Islands.[15][16] The Church is being positioned as a widely visible landmark[10] and is maintained by the Moscow Patriarch.[17] It was first maintained by a single priest. In the meanwhile two priests maintain the services, which are being exchanged annually. They both contribute to the maintenance of the overall station.[18] 29 January 2007, saw the first church wedding on Antarctica, between a Chilean and Russian.[18][19] The first baptism (for adults) also took place there.[20]
It would also be impossible to fast for the month of Ramadan for an entire solar day during the summer in the Southern Hemisphere, so alternatives to this problem have been proposed by multiple sources. It has been reported that Muslim scientists on Antarctica use Mecca time for Ramadan fasting. [citation needed]
^Compare Geology and Religion: A History of Harmony and Hostility, Martina Kölbl-Ebert, S. 142, Geological Society, 2009
^William H.K. Lee, Paul Jennings, Carl Kisslinger, Hiroo Kanamori: International Handbook of Earthquake & Engineering Seismology, Teil 1, Academic Press, 27. September 2002, S. 24, ISBN0-12-440652-1 ([1], p. 24, at Google Books)
^ abAlexandra Nikiforowa (22 December 2008). "Повесть о холодном рае. Ч.1" [Story of clod paradise, interview with Pater Gabriel Bogatschichin, 2005 wintering] (in Russian). taday.ru. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
^Sayar, M.A. (April–June 1995). "Should We Exploit The Last Wilderness?". The Fountain. No. 10. Archived from the original on 11 October 2017. Retrieved 5 April 2017. Pakistan became the first Muslim country to send an official expedition to Antarctica. Pakistan in 1992, established its Jinnah Antarctic Research Station.
