Consider the dome. It stands as a beacon across the U.S. Naval Academy campus. Today, we explore the Naval Academy Chapel, a centerpiece of the academy. It represents moral and spiritual guidance in developing naval officers.
The Naval Academy Chapel’s design reflects the Beaux-Arts style. Architect Ernest Flagg created a revitalized Naval Academy at the end of the nineteenth century. The Chapel became the heart of this design. Construction spanned over ten years costing $10 million. Admiral George Dewey laid the cornerstone in June 1904. The first service was held on May 28, 1908.
Flagg initially planned the Chapel in the shape of a Greek cross. It featured four equal transepts. It could accommodate 1,200 people. In 1938, renovations by architect Paul Philippe Cret altered the shape. A nave was added changing it to a Latin cross. The occupancy increased to 2,500.
Inside the Naval Academy Chapel, renovations occurred again in the 1980s. The Chapel holds historical items and memorial windows. A prayer book used by Admiral David Farragut during the Civil War is on display. The “Commission Invisible” stained glass window is a highlight. It depicts a new Ensign reading his commission. The nation’s flag casts a shadow over him.
The Naval Academy Chapel houses the world’s largest drawknob organ. The original organ dates back to 1908. In 1940, the Moller Organ Company expanded the instrument. Today, it boasts over 15,000 pipes and 268 ranks controlled by two consoles. The organ enhances weddings, memorials, and concerts.
A roped-off pew on the nave’s left side honors prisoners of war and those missing in action. The POW/MIA candle remains lit during all services. Its location marks the original chapel’s end and the expansion’s beginning.
The Naval Academy Chapel also features St. Andrew and The Blessed Sacrament Chapels on the lower level. These spaces offer intimate worship settings for Protestant and Roman Catholic communities.
Originally, the dome featured terracotta designs. They resembled a frosted wedding cake. Over time, moisture damaged the terracotta. Pieces shattered with temperature changes. After a piece fell inside, the terracotta was removed in 1928. Workers covered the dome with copper sheathing.
Nearly 90 years later, the copper needed replacement. A project in 2018 replaced the entire copper covering. The original copper was repurposed into keepsakes sold by the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association.
Extending 210 feet, the Chapel is the tallest building on the Naval Academy Yard. It houses the Crypt of John Paul Jones. Jones is considered the father of the U.S. Navy. His leadership influenced the Navy’s founding. He played a vital role in the War for Independence.
Jones died in 1792 and was buried in France. In 1905, his body returned to the United States aboard the USS Brooklyn. Seven U.S. Navy battleships escorted his remains. In 1913, his remains were re-interred in a bronze and marble sarcophagus at the Naval Academy Chapel. His crypt lies beneath the Chapel.
The Chapel stands as the “architectural crown” of the Yard. It gained recognition as a National Historic Landmark in 1961. Its copper-clad dome is a symbol of pride visible throughout Annapolis. The Naval Academy Chapel connects the Naval Academy to the town. The major streets of the campus quadrangle align with Annapolis streets.
The U.S. Naval Academy Chapel remains a testament to American Beaux Arts architecture. It serves as a place of worship and a historical landmark. Its presence enriches the Naval Academy and the surrounding community.