About Our Lady of Perpetual Help · Dover Afb, Delaware
Our Lady of Perpetual Help is the Roman Catholic chapel community serving Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. It falls under the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, while geographically located within the territory of the Diocese of Wilmington. The community worships in two chapels on the base — the Chapel Center (Chapel 1, Building 417) and Carpenter Chapel (Chapel 2, Building 2998) — and serves active-duty Airmen, their families, retirees, and other authorized personnel with Sunday and weekday Masses, reconciliation, and religious education. Although it is a small military installation chapel rather than a civilian parish, it operates as a distinct Catholic faith community with its own assigned priest-chaplains, Director of Religious Education, and parish staff.
- Established
- 1938
- Patron
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help
- Rector
- Rev. Joseph Idomele
- Diocese
- Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (located within the territory of the Diocese of Wilmington)
Why belong here
Our Lady of Perpetual Help is the spiritual home for Catholic Airmen, families, and base personnel at Dover AFB. It offers two Sunday Masses, daily weekday Mass, weekly religious education for children, and a regular reconciliation schedule — all run by a dedicated team of priest-chaplains supported by a parish staff and community coordinator. Because access is tied to the military installation, it is a uniquely close-knit Catholic community where worship, formation, and pastoral care are built around the rhythm of military life.
Mass times at Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM (Chapel 1)
- Sunday 11:00 AM – 11:25 AM (Chapel 2, per Discover Mass)
- Saturday 4:15 PM (Chapel 2, or by appointment, per Dover housing office)
About Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Our Lady of Perpetual Help is the Catholic faith community at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, serving active-duty Airmen, their families, retirees, and other authorized personnel. It is administered by the 436th Airlift Wing Chaplain's office and falls under the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, while physically located within the territory of the Diocese of Wilmington. The parish traces its roots to 1938, when it was founded as Saint Mary Mission, and was renamed Our Lady of Perpetual Help in 1945. Today it is served by two priest-chaplains along with a Director of Religious Education and a community coordinator.
- Founded 1938 as Saint Mary Mission
- Renamed Our Lady of Perpetual Help in 1945
- Catholic community on Dover Air Force Base
- Under the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA
- Geographically within the Diocese of Wilmington
Chapel Locations on Base
Catholic worship and formation at Dover AFB is split between two chapels run by the same chaplain team. Chapel Center (Chapel 1) is Building 417, located behind the Main Base Shoppette and Gasoline Station, and is the primary venue for weekday Mass. Carpenter Chapel (Chapel 2) is Building 2998, situated in the base housing area across from Welch Elementary and Middle Schools, and hosts most Sunday Catholic Masses and the children's Religious Education program.
- Chapel Center (Chapel 1) — Building 417, behind the Main Base Shoppette / Gasoline Station
- Carpenter Chapel (Chapel 2) — Building 2998, base housing area, across from Welch Elementary and Middle Schools
- Both chapels also host Protestant and Orthodox services
Religious Education and Faith Formation
Catholic Religious Education (RE) for children is offered on Sundays during the academic year, following the 9:00 AM Mass. The Diocese of Wilmington directory lists sessions from 10:15 AM to 11:15 AM, and the base chapel page notes the program begins at approximately 9:45 AM. The program is run by the Director of Religious Education and is geared toward the children of Catholic Airmen and families living on or near the base.
- Children's Religious Education (RE) Sundays after the 9:00 AM Mass
- Sessions approximately 10:15–11:15 AM (Diocese of Wilmington listing)
- Sessions begin about 9:45 AM (Dover AFB chapel listing)
- Directed by the parish Director of Religious Education (DRE)
Clergy and Staff
According to the Diocese of Wilmington's 2026 parish directory (The Dialog), Our Lady of Perpetual Help is currently served by two priest-chaplains alongside a Director of Religious Education and a community coordinator. Together they provide weekend and weekday Masses, sacraments, religious education, and pastoral care to the Catholic community on base.
- Pastor / Deputy Chaplain: Rev. Joseph Idomele
- Associate Pastor / Assistant Chaplain: Rev. Sijo M. George
- Director of Religious Education: Janet Claycomb — (302) 677-6705 — [email protected]
- Community Coordinator: Debbie Suto — (302) 677-3936 — [email protected]
Ecumenical Worship on Base
The 436th Airlift Wing Chaplain's office coordinates worship across multiple faith traditions. In addition to the Catholic schedule above, the same chapel buildings host Protestant contemporary and traditional services, Orthodox Divine Liturgy on the 1st and 3rd Sundays, and a worship service for members of the 512th Reserve Airlift Wing. Catholic parishioners benefit from being part of this broader religious program, which also makes the chapel a hub for ecumenical and seasonal events.
- Protestant Contemporary Worship: Sunday 9:30 AM, Chapel 1
- Protestant Traditional Service: Sunday 11:00 AM, Chapel 2
- 512th Reserve Airlift Wing Worship: 2nd and 4th Sundays, 8:00 AM, Chapel 2
- Orthodox Divine Liturgy: 1st and 3rd Sundays, 8:00 AM, Chapel 2
Contact and Hours
The 436th AW Chaplain office is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM (0730–1630). The main chapel number is (302) 677-3932 (DSN 445-3932). The community coordinator for the Catholic program can be reached at (302) 677-3936. Because this is a military installation, visitors must have valid base access credentials to attend Mass in person.
- Chaplain office: Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM
- Chapel phone: (302) 677-3932 (DSN 445-3932)
- Community Coordinator: Debbie Suto, (302) 677-3936
- Address: 436 AW/HC, 419 12th Street, Dover AFB, DE 19902
- Valid military ID or installation credentials required for base access