Duke Chapel

Recognizing the creative arts as both an expression of the worship of God and an expression of human longing for God, Duke Chapel cultivates a robust music program that seeks to glorify God and to stir the hearts and minds of all those it reaches, and nurtures expressions of faith through dance, visual arts, and other artistic modes.

The Chapel also creates space on campus for spiritual expression through ethnically, culturally, and religiously diverse aesthetic offerings for students and the community.

Standing at 210 feet in the center of campus, of the original buildings at Duke University, the Chapel was planned first and built last. The architectural style of the Chapel is English Gothic, but it is modeled upon no particular cathedral, college chapel, or parish church. The architects of the Chapel were Horace Trumbauer of Philadelphia and his chief designer, Julian Abele, a renowned, twentieth-century Black architect. The cornerstone was laid October 22, 1930, and construction of the Chapel required more than two years. It was first used at commencement in 1932 and was formally dedicated June 2, 1935.

Parking: The closest public parking area to the Chapel is the Bryan Center Parking Garage at 125 Science Drive. ADA parking is available in the parking lot immediately in front of the garage. When the Bryan Center Parking Garage is full, other options include the Science Drive Lot and Science Drive Garage. Please leave plenty of time to park, as the availability of parking on campus varies considerably. The cost to park is typically $2 per hour. For some special events, there is a $5 flat fee for parking in the Bryan Center Parking Garage and designated overflow areas. For event-specific parking instructions, please check our calendar.

Duke Bus: Students are advised to take the C1 Bus and walk from the West Campus Bus Stop or to take the Bassett-Research Bus and walk from the Science Drive Circle.

GoDurham Bus: Route 6 stops at Flowers Drive at Duke Gardens, which is about a 6 minute walk to the Duke Chapel.

DUKE CHAPEL WEBSITE