U.S. Naval Academy To Replace Chapel's Copper Roof

ANNAPOLIS, MD — The United States Naval Academy's recognizable chapel dome, with its aged green coloring, soon will be replaced with a shiny copper one. Original plans were to repair the copper dome, but it has deteriorated enough that officials will be replacing it entirely now. This is the seventh time the chapel has been refurbished.

"Scheduled repairs to the USNA Chapel began in late November and are scheduled to take approximately a year to complete. While the contractor was conducting repairs to the nave roof, it was determined that the copper dome roof of the chapel was more deteriorated than anticipated," said Jennifer M. Erickson, director of media relations, public affairs, United States Naval Academy, in an interview with Patch. "It will be a bright copper color for a few weeks, but will quickly turn a dark brown color. The green patina will slowly develop over time—estimated to be about 20-25 years."

During the roof replacement project, the chapel will remain open for services, funerals, weddings and to visitors at the Yard.

"The continued investments in our infrastructure are vital to preserving this National Historic Landmark and safely and effectively executing the Naval Academy's mission," Erickson told Patch.

The interior of the chapel will be protected from the weather during the roof replacement by installing a new roofing membrane on the substrate, which keeps the building water-tight at all times, Erickson said.

"We anticipate that the copper removal will be closely followed by installation of the new membrane and the new copper work will follow closely behind that. The exact means and methods of the scheduling is to be determined by the Navy and the contractor," she said.