To complete fittimgly, the beautifully appointed Chapel on the Thames, a plan was started for the addition of stained glass windows immediately upon completion of the Chapel. Much of the original thought and planning in this connection was done by Rear Admiral F. A. Daubin, USN, formerly Commander of the Submarines of the Atlantic Fleet. Ample funds were received as freewill offerings from Naval personnel of the Submarine Base, submarine squadrons, and from families of submariners and other interested civilians.

The committee, which was charged with the actual planning, design, and procurement of the windows, was composed of the following: Captain C.W. Shilling (MC) USN, Chairman; CDR S. D. Cutter, USN; LCDR J. H. Shilling, (CHC), USNR; LT D. Farnsworth, H (S), USNR. This committee completed the original plans and was fortunate in securing Charles J. Connick, designer and worker in stained glass, to undertake the fashioning and installing of the windows.

It was possible, with the funds raised to complete four pairs of windows and the two smaller entrance windows by late 1945. The original side windows are the pairs within the Chancel and the pairs to the right and left nearest the main entrance of the Chapel.

In a special ceremony on Sunday, November 11, 1945, at which Admiral Daubin was the principal speaker, these windows were dedicated "to the submarine officers and men who lost their lives in the service of their country and to their mothers, wives, and families." A fuller description of them and an explanation of their symbols will be found under the First Pair, the Second Pair, the Ninth Pair, and the Tenth Pair in this brochure.

A continuing desire to complete the stained glass window project was manifested during the years, which followed. In 1951, RADM S. S. Murray broached the subject though a letter sent to Submarine Squadrons Two. Four, Six, and Eight, Submarine Development Group Two, the Submarine Base, and Submarine Forces, Pacific. He established the Stained Glass Window Project Committee, first composed of CDR Francis T. O’Leary, CHC, USN; CDR W. F. Schlech USN, and LCDR Richard Snyder, CHC, USNR; which committee determined to aim for completion of half the remaining six pairs. A fund raising drive was initiated with a happy response from Force and Base personnel, families of submariners, and civilian friends. Under the encouragement of RADM George C. Crawford, Commander Submarine Force Atlantic, the committee resolved to complete the entire project by spring of 1954.

In September 1953 the committee, then composed of CDR L. G. Burrus, CHC, USNR, Chairman; CDR W. F. Schlech USN, and LCDR James A Sullivan CHC, USN, worked out the intricate details of theme and design, a task calling for two hundred and forty separate sketches and twenty-four texts of suitable quotations from Biblical and other sources. In this task William Easterling PN2, of the Dolphin staff, provided invaluable artistic assistance. The Charles J. Connick Associates of Boston, Mass., were again chosen to fashion and install the six pairs of windows which complete the overall project. This work was completed on 30 April 1954. In dedication services held in the Chapel on 9 May 1954 the windows were dedicated to the memory of submariners who gave their last full measure of devotion to the nation they served and of which they so proudly were a part. 

The six pairs of windows thus installed were fashioned around the central theme of "the Canticles of St Francis" which so beautifully offers praise to God in His creative work. Based on the 148th Psalm it draws attention to those often beautiful, sometimes grim but always inspiring manifestations of God'’ handiwork in and about our world. These are wonders which men who go down to the sea in ships readily appreciate. The central medallions of each pair of windows presents contrasting expressions of that Divine creativity, and the side and top panels in each case lend support to the central theme, in the bottom half of each window appears the secondary theme, the figure of a Disciple. The original faithful eleven and Mathias, who was chosen to replace Judas, are thus depicted, each bearing this traditional symbol. Symbols of the Submarine Service --- Dolphins, Submarine Tender, and Submarine Rescue Vessel — variously appear at the window base.

The committee acknowledges its debt to the many persons who gave their time, encouragement, donations, and suggestions to bring this project to a successful conclusion. Particularly does the Committee desire to mention the genuine encouragement given by RADM George C. Crawford USN, Commander Submarine Force Atlantic, Captain John E. Lee USN, present Submarine Base Commanding Officer, and Captain W. B. Sieglaff USN, former Commanding Officer of the Submarine Base.

To encourage a fuller appreciation of the significance of the windows, detailed descriptions are given in the following pages.

9 May 1954

Symbols of Sunrise (Birth) left, and Sunset (Death) right, with these words from Tennyson’s "Crossing the Bar" around each medallion — "When that which came from out the Boundless Deep (left) turns again Home." (right)
The large texts arranged in the open books below are:

"These are they which came out of great Tribulation." (Rev. 7:14)
"And they loved not their lives unto the Death." (Rev. 12:11)

Symbols of Submarine service are featured in the bases, and Naval Officers’ crest (left) and the device from the Navy Department’s seal (right) in tops of panels, while service devices and small figures of service men occur in wide borders which are designed to symbolize sprays of water in brilliant whites and lightly tinted glasses.

Archangels with texts are Saint Raphael, Guardian, and Saint Gabriel, Herald of Peace.

Key colors: Red for love and courage, White for faith, Gold for spiritual treasures, and Blue for eternal loyalty, Green for childhood, Violet for mystery, the unknown.

(Completed 1945)