Naval Academy Chapel

History

The Brigade Chapel was designed by Ernest Flagg. The cornerstone was laid in 1904 by Admiral George Dewey and the dedication of the Chapel was on May 28, 1908.

In 1940, the Chapel underwent remodeling which doubled the seating capacity to 2,500, to accommodate a larger brigade of midshipmen. From 1853 to 1972, chapel attendance was compulsory. After remodeling, the chapel formed a large cross. The dome over the chapel is copper and the cupola is 193 ft above the main altar area.

In 1995, the Chapel was featured on a U.S. Postal Service postage stamp, honoring the Academy's 150th anniversary.

In 2009, nearly seventy years after the 1940 renovation and expansion, the chapel underwent an extensive restoration that included the repair of decades-long deterioration. The restoration uncovered the dome's 20 ft-diameter oculus (round skylight), situated 121 ft above the chapel floor, which had been plastered over for decades because of its deteriorating condition. The cost of the project was nearly $2.5 million, of which $925,000 was donated by the Class of 1969 to cover the cost of replacing the hardwood floors and refinishing the pews. The remaining $2.3 million came from the government.

Architectural features

The two stained-glass windows facing the altar are symbolic. One is of Sir Galahad holding his sheathed sword, portraying the ideals of the naval service. The other signifies the Commission Invisible, a beacon each new officer must follow: Christ is pointing him toward the flag. Four other windows are memorials to LCDR Theodorus B.M. Mason and Admirals David Dixon Porter, David Farragut, and William T. Sampson. Several of the stained-glass windows in the Chapel were designed by Frederick Wilson.

The Brigade Chapel boasts a 268-rank organ controlled by one of the largest drawknob consoles in the world (522 drawknobs).

The basement level of the chapel houses the crypt of John Paul Jones and St. Andrew's Chapel which is used for smaller services.

John Paul Jones Crypt

On January 26, 1913, the remains of John Paul Jones were interred in the crypt beneath the Brigade Chapel, inside a sarcophagus made of 21 ST of black and white Italian marble with bronze fittings.

In the deck around the crypt are inscribed the names of his ships: Bonhomme Richard, Alliance, Serapis, Ariel, Alfred, Providence, and Ranger.

Footnotes

References

1. (9 May 2006). "USNA-Net's Parents' Handbook - Plebe Year".
2. Kelly, Earl. (October 24, 2009). "Naval Academy Chapel restoration complete: Reopening ceremony Saturday". Capital Gazette Communications, Inc. (HometownAnnapolis.com).
3. "FindACase™ - ANDERSON v. LAIRD".
4. ""Postal Service Honors Naval Academy with a 150 Year Anniversary Commemorative Stamp"".
5. "Stained Glass". City of Annapolis.
6. Yakaitis, Chris. "John Paul Jones has a newly renovated resting place, 100 years after his body was returned to America.".
7. (26 January 2012). "The Final Resting Place of John Paul Jones".
8. "U.S. Navy pays homage to its 'father'". The Washington Times.