Hidden Gems: St. Augustine's University Historic Chapel

On September 13, 2025, Preservation Raleigh hosted a special “Hidden Gems” tour of the historic chapel at St. Augustine’s University for our supporters. We were pleased with the turnout and grateful to share one of our city’s “Places in Peril”.

Esther Hall welcomed the group and introduced the Reverend Hershey Mallette Stephens, the Dean of the Chapel and Spiritual Life at SAU. Reverend Stephens provided a wonderful overview of the chapel’s history.

Following her talk, we had a special opportunity to tour the beautiful Norman Gothic-style chapel, which was built in 1895. Saint Augustine’s Chapel is the oldest surviving building erected for Saint Augustine University, one of the oldest historically black colleges and universities in the country. We learned that the stones for the chapel’s construction were quarried by students, and it was consecrated in 1897. A highlight for many was seeing the antique bishop’s chair, purchased in France as a memorial to the Rt. Rev. Henry Beard Delany, the first Black bishop elected in the Episcopal Church in North Carolina. We were also captivated by the chapel’s beautiful stained glass windows.

The event was a success, and we are so grateful for our community’s continued support. Your generosity helps us protect and advocate for these important historical places. This was the second of our Hidden Gems tours, which are exclusively for supporters of Preservation Raleigh. Any donation amount will put you on our supporter email list!

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