July 20, 1969 - Buzz Aldrin Takes Communion on the Moon

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. "Communion Kit Used as a Model for Buzz Aldrin's Apollo 11 Communion Set." Publicly displayed museum artifact. Public-domain museum photograph.

When most people think of the Apollo 11 mission, they remember the first human footsteps on the Moon. Less well known is the quiet act of worship that preceded them. After the Lunar Module Eagle landed safely on July 20, astronaut Buzz Aldrin, an elder at Webster Presbyterian Church near Houston, observed the Lord’s Supper before stepping onto the lunar surface.

Before the mission, his pastor provided a small communion kit containing a silver chalice, bread, and wine. After landing, Aldrin radioed Mission Control with a simple request:

“This is the LM pilot. I’d like to take this opportunity to ask every person listening in, whoever and wherever they may be, to pause for a moment and contemplate the events of the past few hours and to give thanks in his or her own way.”

Inside the Lunar Module, Aldrin quietly read from John 15:5, received communion, and spent a few moments in prayer, making this the first documented Christian observance on the Moon. Because NASA had recently faced legal controversy over religious expression following the Apollo 8 Genesis reading, the agency chose not to broadcast the communion ceremony publicly during the mission. Aldrin later shared the account in his writings and interviews.

Why This Matters

The Apollo 11 landing stands as one of humanity’s greatest scientific achievements, yet Aldrin’s private act reminds us that faith and exploration need not be at odds. Standing on the threshold of another world, he chose first to acknowledge God with gratitude and humility. For many Christians, it serves as a powerful reminder that no matter how far human ingenuity carries us, dependence on the Creator remains more significant than any earthly accomplishment.