A Glimpse into Annapolis’s Iconic Naval Chapel
In the heart of Annapolis, Maryland, stands a symbol of tradition and faith: the Brigade of Midshipmen Chapel. This revered site offers a spiritual haven for midshipmen, alumni, and visitors, reflecting the deep ties between the U.S. Navy and the nation’s heritage.
Benjamin Hall, a senior correspondent at FOX News, remarked in an interview with Military.com, “What struck me most was how deeply the chapel is tied to the story of the Navy and to the country more broadly… Every part of it seems to hold meaning – from the stained glass windows to the crypt below, to the way it stands within Annapolis as such a visible symbol of tradition, duty and faith.”
The chapel’s story is featured in FOX Nation’s new series, “America’s Churches with Benjamin Hall.” The series explores historic churches across the United States, beginning with the Brigade of Midshipmen Chapel, and continues to places like New Orleans and New York.
“It was very much by design. Each of the churches in the first run of the series gives us a different angle,” said Hall. “Syracuse is about education, sport, and the role faith can play in shaping community. St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans is about endurance; how faith helped carry a city through Hurricane Katrina and other moments of real pain. And the Brigade of Midshipmen Chapel is about service, about the role faith can play in guiding men and women who are preparing to serve their country.”
CENTURY-OLD CHAPEL STANDS THROUGH THE YEARS
Erected from 1904 to its dedication in 1908, the chapel once mandated attendance for naval officers until 1972. Protestant and Catholic services continue today, maintaining its status as a National Historic Landmark. The chapel underwent major remodeling in 1940, doubling its capacity to 2,500 to accommodate more midshipmen. The structure features a copper dome and an impressive 193-foot cupola.
Within the chapel resides the world’s largest draw-knob organ, operated by two consoles with over 15,000 pipes and 268 ranks.
“Until the invention of the steam engine, the pipe organ was considered the most complicated piece of machinery ever invented,” said chapel organist Monte Maxwell in a preview of the series screened by Military.com. “That’s a pretty magnificent thing.”
A pew on the left side of the nave is reserved in memory of prisoners of war and those missing in action. The chapel’s music, combined with its grandeur, provides a profound spiritual experience.
“You want the conclusion of the service, be it a mass or protestant service, to leave people encouraged with hope, to go out into the world and continue their journey of faith until we come together again,” said Maxwell. “To send the people out in joy. It is a magnificent thing, a vehicle to help move the human soul.”
HISTORIC CHAPEL SERVES AS COMMUNITY CENTERPIECE
Hall was deeply moved by his visit to the chapel, noting its extraordinary architecture and historical significance. In 1995, the chapel earned a U.S. postage stamp to mark the Academy’s 150th anniversary.
“At a time when we see American service members operating in dangerous parts of the world, it felt like a very powerful place to begin,” said Hall. “We talk in the episode about how faith can give people courage, steadiness and guidance in difficult moments.”
The chapel underwent significant repairs in 2009 to address long-standing deterioration, a crucial effort for both the Naval Academy and the Annapolis community.
“In so many towns and cities, here and around the world, the church sits at the center of community life. It brings people together, guides them, and often helps carry them through both the best and the hardest moments in life,” Hall explained. “So the connection is not just historical, it’s living. This chapel has been part of the moral and spiritual life of generations of midshipmen. It helps shape character, and character matters enormously when people are later called on to serve, lead and sacrifice.”
The series “America’s Churches with Benjamin Hall” premiered on March 30, 2026, with segments available on FOX Nation and online platforms.
