U.S. Naval Academy Chapel - Annapolis, MD

In May we visited the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD and the highlight of that visit, in addition to the Heisman Trophy of Roger Staubach, was the Chapel. 

U.S. Naval Academy Chapel.

The grounds of the Naval Academy are fascinating, with statutes of submarines, a first for me, and cadets walking between classes in uniform. 

The cornerstone of the Chapel was laid in 1904 and the Chapel was dedicated on May 28, 1908 by Admiral George Dewey. It was featured on a postage stamp in 1995 honoring the Naval Academy's 150th anniversary. 

I love the heavy use of blue and gold, the school colors. 

From the entrance, looking toward the altar.

Looking back toward the entrance. 

Inside the dome. 

Many of the stained glass windows deal with sailing, including Biblical stories of Jonah, Jesus and his disciples in boats and various admirals. 

Jonah

Admiral David G. Farragut at the Battle of Mobile Bay on August 5, 1864. He attacked a Confederate fleet that guarded the entrance to Mobile Bay and was able to reduce the Confederate fleet to one vessel.

It has a seating capacity of 2,500 and attendance was cumpulsory until 1972. It appears that the Chapel accommodates both Catholics and Protestants, but I see that the Chaplain Corps of the U.S. Navy come from religious backgrounds that include the foregoing, as well as Orthodox, Jewish, Muslim and Buddhist.  

A ship hanging from the ceiling above the main entrance. 

The main altar.

Organ pipes.

In a crypt beneath the chapel are the remains of John Paul Jones in a sarcophagus made of 21 short tons of molten steel. It is as gaudy a sarcophagus I've seen for anyone, including any president or king.