Auburn University Chapel: A Historic Sanctuary

The Auburn University Chapel, located at 139 South College Street, stands as a testament to Auburn's rich history [2, 6]. Constructed in 1851, it is the oldest building on its original site on the Auburn University campus and the oldest public structure in the town [2, 4, 7]. Edwin Reese, a plantation owner and architect, designed the chapel in the Greek Revival style for the local Presbyterian congregation, with bricks made by enslaved people on his plantation [3, 7, 8].Over the years, the chapel has served various purposes [2, 4]. During the Civil War, it was used as a Confederate hospital [3, 4, 8]. In 1887, after a fire destroyed the main building of the Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University), the chapel was temporarily used as classrooms [2, 3, 4]. Around 1900, the chapel was renovated in the Gothic style [3, 4]. In 1921, the college acquired the property, and it served as a YMCA/YWCA center for a few years [2, 4]. From 1927 to 1973, it housed the Auburn Players Theater [3, 4]. A major renovation in 1976 transformed it into the Auburn University Chapel, an interdenominational, multipurpose building [2, 3, 4].Today, the chapel is a popular venue for weddings, ceremonies, and memorial services [2, 3, 6, 16]. With a capacity of 90, it offers a cozy and personal setting [2]. A Reuter-two manual pipe organ is available for reservation [2, 6]. The chapel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, adding to its significance [2, 3, 4]. Some people believe the chapel is haunted by the ghost of a Civil War veteran named Sydney Grimlett [4, 6, 10].