Rotunda Chapels

A little known secret at the Naval Academy is the chapel spaces in the Rotunda of Bancroft Hall.  Since this great building was built midshipmen have been able to use these two spaces in a variety of ways to care for and nurture their spiritual needs.  Today the spaces serve as a place where devotional services take place, private prayer and devotion take place, confessions are heard, and many other exercises of faith.  For many midshipmen these two spaces are a sacred refuge in times of trouble where they are fed in moments that they need it most. These chapel spaces are appointed specifically for the Catholic, Protestant, and Muslim communities, but people of faith from a variety of backgrounds use them to help provide the spiritual nourishment that that they need.

Facing in the direction of Memorial Hall, and away from the great entrance of Bancroft Hall near Tecumseh Court there are chapel spaces on both sides of the rotunda area. On your right, before entering the Catholic spaces is a large stained glass window depicting Jesus calming the storm, and provides the perfect backdrop to those needing the storm in them calmed in a few moments of quiet prayer and devotion in one of the chapels there.

To your right is a Catholic chapel area. In these spaces, worshippers have the opportunity for private prayer and devotion as well as regularly scheduled times for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.The spaces are small, but designed specifically to allow for the greatest opportunity for worship and devotion.

To the left as you face Memorial Hall are two chapel spaces - a Protestant Chapel and a Muslim Chapel.