Cadet Chapel, West Point, New York

 

“The true church can never fail. For it is based upon a rock.”

T. S. Eliot

While standing on the Plain, I am in awe of the beauty and design of this military academy. What is the Plain you ask? It is a large field where the USMA (United States Military Academy) cadets march during many parades throughout the year, The stark granite buildings that grace “the Point” have stood strong over the years producing the best of the best in the Army. The grass on the Plain is a gorgeous green this summer accentuating the gray ornate buildings standing behind it. The statue of George Washington, on his horse, guard the doorway to the mess hall where all 4,400 cadets can eat at one time. The empty bleachers are standing ready for the next parade. How proud I feel of the young men and women cadets that give their heart and soul every day learning how to be good soldiers as well as good and honorable people.

Standing high behind the academic buildings/barracks, up on a hill, the massive Cadet Chapel dominates the view towering above the academy buildings. This granite cathedral was built in Gothic Revival Architecture and was designed by the firm of Cram, Goodhue, and Ferguson. It is listed as one of the ten most beautiful buildings in the United States. The groundbreaking for the chapel was in 1906 and was completed in 1911 and serves the United States Corp of Cadets as well as many in the West Point Protestant community. This chapel replaced the neoclassical Old Cadet Chapel that was built in 1836 and moved stone by stone to the West Point Cemetery where it now stands.

Walking into the cathedral, you feel small seeing the height of the soaring intricate arched ceilings aiming towards the heavens. There are two rows of flags hung over the center isle which represent the War of 1812, Spanish-American War, Civil War, and the Mexican War, along with various US flags. The other amazing thing to note is how the hymnals and Bibles are perfectly aligned as you look towards the alter. What else would you expect from this academy but perfection. This cathedral is patterned in a cross shaped floor plan with ornate stone carvings and spectacular stained glass windows.

The stained glass windows are an amazing site to see. They were made by the Willet Company starting in 1902. If you look closely at each of the stained glass windows, you can see there are two dates. Each class donates something to the academy and for many years, they donated a stained glass window dedicating it to a class a hundred years prior. The Willet Company charged the academy $275 per window in 1902 and because they so loved the academy, they kept the price the same until all windows were installed.  The last window was put in place in 1976. The first stained glass window to be installed was the Sanctuary window which was inscribed with “Duty, Honor, Country”, the academy’s motto.

When standing at the alter, check out the amazing organ. This organ was made by W. P. Moeller in 1911 and is the largest church organ in the world. Each year the cadets donate more pipes for the organ as memorial gifts. There are many pipes still missing from an electrical storm that destroyed quite a few. At one time there were over 23,511 individual pipes and hopefully will eventually be full strength again. Throughout the year, there are events where you can come and listen to an organ recital or hear the organist practice. If you ever get a chance to go and witness that, do so. The sound is gorgeous and is very moving to hear. It will give you goose bumps.

On the first pew closest to the alter, you can see silver plated name plaques with the signatures of the superintendents who have served at West Point. The name on the arm rest is the superintendent who is currently serving.

While going to school here at West Point, no cadet is permitted to marry. The week after graduation is a busy week at all the churches on West Point, especially the Cadet Chapel. During that week, there will be a wedding every hour. It is very difficult getting a date for a wedding graduation week, so in the past, girls would schedule a time and date before she even met a cadet to ensure she could get married that week. Then she would go out and find a cadet to marry. That is not permitted anymore. Now you have to have met a cadet and give a name and graduation date before scheduling a wedding. The weddings here are beautiful. The aisle to the alter is long and humbling for a bride. After the service the cadets line the steps holding their sabers up while the bride and groom walk under hand in hand and kiss. Weddings held here are made from fairy tales.

Stepping outside on the granite patio, you can look down on the academy buildings, the Plain, Victory Monument, and the picturesque Hudson River. You can even get a glimpse of the courtyard where the cadets march off demerits that they may have gotten for doing something wrong. If you look straight down, you will notice a steep and curving pathway up to the chapel where on Sundays, the cadets are marched up for the Sunday service. Looking down at the base of the church, It appears as if the chapel has just grown out of the granite rocks below.

This majestic cathedral looks very Medieval and beautiful from all angles. It is a must see while on West Point. The chapel is open from 8:15 am to 4:15 pm during the week. Services are held every Sunday at 10:30.  Till next time. Take care and Bye for now.