Naval Academy Chapel, Annapolis (must see)

Naval Academy Chapel is the main place of worship at the United States Naval Academy. Completed in 1908 and designed by architect Ernest Flagg, it replaced an earlier mid-nineteenth-century chapel that had become too small for the growing number of midshipmen. Since then, the building has been used for religious services, ceremonies, weddings, and memorial events connected with naval life.

The chapel follows the Beaux-Arts style used for many academy buildings of that time. Its most visible feature is the large dome above the campus. The dome was first covered with decorated terra cotta, but this was removed in 1928 after pieces began falling, and a copper covering was completed in 1929. The original 1908 building seated about 1,200–1,600 people, and an expansion by architect Paul Philippe Cret between 1938 and 1940 increased the capacity to about 2,500.

Beneath the chapel is the crypt of John Paul Jones, a naval officer of the American Revolutionary War often called the “father of the American Navy.” His remains were discovered in Paris in 1905 and placed in the crypt on January 26, 1913. The black-and-white marble tomb, designed by architect Whitney Warren, was inspired by Napoleon’s tomb at Les Invalides in Paris.

Inside the chapel visitors can see stained-glass windows, memorial plaques, and historic naval flags connected with naval service. Among the notable artworks is a stained-glass window created by Tiffany Studios. Protestant and Catholic services are regularly held here for midshipmen and academy staff. The building also continues to host ceremonies, concerts, and guided visits that allow guests to explore both the main hall and the crypt.