Photo of construction of Chapel courtesy of University Archives.

When James B. Duke selected the site for Duke University’s West Campus, in 1925, he chose to locate the Chapel on the site’s highest ridge. The Chapel was the first building planned for the new campus, but the last one to be completed. Construction started in 1930, was completed in 1935, and cost nearly $2.3 million. The Chapel began to be used before its stained-glass windows and other details were finished; commencement was held in the Chapel in 1932.

Although the Chapel was inspired by other buildings, including English cathedrals and the chapels of other American universities, it is not a copy of any other specific building.

The Architect
The architect was Julian Abele, chief designer with the Horace Trumbauer firm, of Philadelphia. America’s first black architect of renown, Abele was educated at the University of Pennsylvania and in France. In addition to Duke’s original West Campus, he designed the Georgian buildings on Duke’s East Campus. Abele’s other designs include the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Harvard’s Widener Library, and mansions for James B. Duke.

Other People and Firms Involved in the Design and Construction

• The stone carving was by the John Donnelly Company, of New York, a firm that also made sculptures for the U.S. Supreme Court Building and New York’s Riverside Church.

• The wood carving was by Irving and Casson–A.H. Davenport Company, of Boston.

• The ironwork was by the William H. Jackson Company, of New York.

• The stained-glass windows and the ornamental lead-and-gold symbols in the doors were designed and made by G. Owen Bonawit, of New York.

• Charles Keck, of New York, carved the recumbent statues on the tombs in the Memorial Chapel.

The laborers who came to Durham to help build the Chapel included numerous Italian immigrant stone masons; some of their descendents still live in Durham.

Chapel Administrative Leadership Timeline
Download a timeline showing administrative leadership in Duke Chapel from 1932-present.

Changes Over the Years
The two greatest changes to the Chapel since its dedication occurred in the 1970s. In 1971, a fire destroyed several wooden pews at the front of the nave. These were replaced with wooden chairs, which proved to be something of a blessing: the chairs can be moved to accommodate an orchestra, risers, and other supports for concerts and liturgical dance performances. In 1976, the Flentrop (Benjamin N. Duke Memorial) organ was installed above the entrance to the nave, in a specially constructed gallery. In 1997, a third, smaller pipe organ, the Brombaugh, was installed in the Memorial Chapel.

The Chapel’s exterior has required some repairs. Over the years, one limestone pinnacle near the rear of the building has been blown off in three storms, including hurricanes Hazel in 1954 and Fran in 1996. After 75 years’ exposure to the elements, the lead holding together some of the Chapel’s stained-glass windows has weakened, and restoration of the windows is currently under way.

Questions?
Brief questions about the history of the chapel may be directed to Dr. William E. King, University Archivist Emeritus. Questions also may be sent to the University Archives.