After being stored out of sight for over a year, a decades-old religious painting has regained its prominent position at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

The "Christ on the Water" painting, long displayed at the Academy’s Wiley Hall, has been reinstated following its removal in 2023, spurring both praise from federal officials and criticism from a secular advocacy group, as The Christian Post reports.

The oil painting, depicting Jesus with maritime imagery, had hung for nearly 80 years in Wiley Hall at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) in Kings Point, New York. It was removed in 2023 while Vice Admiral Joanna Nunan served as superintendent.

Controversy Over Relocation Sparks National Debate

Its removal was prompted by concerns from the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF), a group that defends church-state separation in the military. The MRFF has been led by Mikey Weinstein, who objected to the religious nature of the artwork displayed in a mandatory-use facility.

According to the Department of Transportation, the painting was placed in a flood-prone storage area in the basement. The decision drew backlash from some alumni and federal officials who saw the move as disrespectful toward USMMA’s traditions.

During the Academy’s Battle Standard Dinner in April 2025, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy publicly called for the painting to be returned to its original location. He described its removal as not only symbolic but an affront to the institution's heritage.

Leadership Change Opens Path for Reinstatement

In June 2025, Superintendent Nunan resigned. She was succeeded by Tony Ceraolo, who took over as acting superintendent. Under his leadership, steps were taken to prepare the painting for reinstallation.

In September 2025, the artwork was brought out of storage in anticipation of its return. The move came amid months of growing support from within the Trump administration to restore the historical piece.

This week, the Department of Transportation announced the painting had officially been placed back in its original location in Wiley Hall. An unveiling ceremony was held on Monday to mark the occasion.

Officials Celebrate Painting’s Return

Secretary Duffy praised the event, calling the painting’s return a reaffirmation of the Christian faith central to the Academy’s founding community. He described the earlier relocation as an insult to the legacy of the institution.

“Burying this historic painting in the basement wasn't just a mistake — it was an insult to the faith and legacy of service that built this Academy and our nation,” Duffy said during the ceremony. He added that restoring the painting was a sign that midshipmen’s Christian faith should be regarded as a virtue, not something to be hidden.

Acting Superintendent Ceraolo also emphasized the cultural and historical weight of the painting. He referred to it as a meaningful artistic tribute to the Academy’s past and the resilience of wartime midshipmen.

Secular Group Threatens Legal Action

The painting’s restoration has not been without its critics. Mikey Weinstein of MRFF issued a strongly worded statement condemning the Department of Transportation's involvement in its return.

Weinstein accused Secretary Duffy of promoting Christian nationalism and transforming a federal institution into a religiously exclusive environment. He described the Academy’s action as “cowardly” and “disgraceful.”

“Duffy is making sure to brand the Academy as conquered Christian nationalist territory,” Weinstein said. He warned that non-Christian midshipmen might feel unwelcome, citing the reinstallation as a sign of “sectarian fundamentalist Christian conceit.”

Legal Battle May Be On the Horizon

The Military Religious Freedom Foundation is considering federal litigation in response to the painting’s return. Weinstein said the group is weighing the possibility of filing aggressive legal action, although no lawsuit has yet been formally announced.

Despite the legal warning, federal officials and Academy leadership appear committed to keeping the painting in place. Ceraolo reiterated that the artwork serves not only a religious purpose for some but also commemorates historical experiences shared by a generation of midshipmen.

“This painting is about history, remembrance, and hope,” he said, calling it a way to ensure that the legacy of past service members remains visible for future classes.

As the debate continues, the “Christ on the Water” painting now hangs once more in Wiley Hall, renewed as both a symbol of tradition and a flashpoint in America’s ongoing dialogue over religious expression in federal institutions.