Naval Academy Chapel

Church building in Maryland, United States of America

Brigade of Midshipmen Chapel

Brigade of Midshipmen Chapel

Religion
Affiliation| Christian
Ecclesiastical or organizational status| Chapel
Year consecrated| 1908
Location
Location| 101 Cooper Rd
Annapolis, Maryland, United States
Architecture
Groundbreaking| 1904
Completed| 1908
Capacity| 2500
Website
www.usna.edu
The ceiling of the chapel.

The United States Naval Academy Chapel in Annapolis, Maryland, is one of nine designated chapel spaces on the grounds of the United States Navy's service academy. Protestant and Catholic services are held there. The Brigade Chapel is a focal point of the Academy and the city of Annapolis. The chapel is an important feature which led to the Academy being designated a National Historic Landmark in 1961.

Traditionally, new third-class midshipmen become "Youngsters" when they sight the chapel dome upon returning from their summer cruise.[1]

## History

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Watercolour rendering of the Chapel

The Brigade Chapel was designed by Ernest Flagg.[2] 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.[3] After remodeling, the chapel formed a large cross. The dome over the chapel is copper and the cupola is 193 feet (59 m) 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.[4]

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.[2] The restoration uncovered the dome's 20 feet (6.1 m)-diameter oculus (round skylight), situated 121 feet (37 m) 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.[2]

## Architectural features

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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.[5]

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

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The sarcophagus of John Paul Jones.

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 short tons (19 t) of black and white Italian marble with bronze fittings.[6][7][8]

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

## See also

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* Commodore Uriah P. Levy Center and Jewish Chapel (USNA)
* United States Navy Chaplain Corps
* United States Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel (including Catholic, Jewish, and Protestant chapels)
* United States Military Academy Chapel (Protestant)
* Chapel of the Most Holy Trinity (West Point) (Catholic)
* United States Merchant Marine Academy#Mariners' Memorial Chapel
* St. Peter's Chapel, Mare Island (Catholic and Protestant)

## Footnotes

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Interior of the Brigade of Midshipmen Chapel

1. ^ "USNA-Net's Parents' Handbook - Plebe Year". 9 May 2006. Archived from the original on 9 May 2006.
2. ^ a b c Kelly, Earl (October 24, 2009). "Naval Academy Chapel restoration complete: Reopening ceremony Saturday". Capital Gazette Communications, Inc. (HometownAnnapolis.com). Retrieved 2010-03-18. The article includes a photo and slideshow.
3. ^ "FindACase™ - ANDERSON v. LAIRD". dc.findacase.com.
4. ^ ""Postal Service Honors Naval Academy with a 150 Year Anniversary Commemorative Stamp"".
5. ^ "Stained Glass". Annapolis, MD. City of Annapolis. Archived from the original on 23 March 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
6. ^ Yakaitis, Chris. "John Paul Jones has a newly renovated resting place, 100 years after his body was returned to America". baltimoresun.com.
7. ^ "The Final Resting Place of John Paul Jones". 26 January 2012.
8. ^ "U.S. Navy pays homage to its 'father'". The Washington Times.

## External links

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Naval Academy Chapel.

* USNA Chaplain Center webpage
* Midshipmen Religious Organizations. USNA Chaplain Center webpage. Retrieved 2010-03-18.
* Chapel Organ. USNA Music Department webpage. Retrieved 2010-03-18.
* Weddings in the USNA Chapel. USNA Chaplain Center webpage. Retrieved 2010-03-18.
* John Paul Jones Crypt
* USNA 150th-anniversary U.S. postage stamp. USNA website

38°58′53.57″N 76°29′10.64″W﻿ / ﻿38.9815472°N 76.4862889°W﻿ / 38.9815472; -76.4862889

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United States Naval Academy

Located in: Annapolis, Maryland

Academics|

* Prep School
* Small Satellite Program
* Naval Academy Foreign Affairs Conference

Athletics|

* Navy Midshipmen

Teams
Baseball
Men's Basketball
Women's Basketball
Football
Men's Lacrosse
Men's Soccer

Other
Navy–Army Cup
Navy–Army Game
Navy–Army Game (lacrosse)
Commander-in-Chief's Trophy
Crab Pot Tournament (ice hockey)

Campus|

* Alumni Hall
* Bancroft Hall
* Cemetery
* Glenn Warner Soccer Facility
* Halsey Field House
* Herndon Monument
* Hubbard Hall
* McMullen Hockey Arena
* Museum

* Lejeune Hall
* Naval Academy Chapel
* Naval Academy Jewish Chapel
* Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium
* Terwilliger Brothers Field at Max Bishop Stadium
* Wesley Brown Field House

History|

* Fort Severn

People|

* Alumni
* Superintendents
* Commandants

Traditions|

* Bill the Goat
* Honor Concept
* Induction day
* "Navy Blue and Gold"
* Plebe Summer

* Founded: 1845
* Students: Approximately 4,500

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