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St. Mary's Chapel (Raleigh, North Carolina)

St. Mary's Chapel
St. Mary's Chapel Front.jpg
St. Mary's Chapel, 2014
St. Mary's Chapel (Raleigh, North Carolina) is located in North Carolina
St. Mary's Chapel (Raleigh, North Carolina)
Location 900 Hillsborough Street
Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.
Coordinates 35°46′54″N 78°39′11″W / 35.78167°N 78.65306°W / 35.78167; -78.65306Coordinates: 35°46′54″N 78°39′11″W / 35.78167°N 78.65306°W / 35.78167; -78.65306
Built 1855
Architect Richard Upjohn
Architectural style Gothic Revival
Part of St. Mary's College
NRHP Reference # 70000477
Added to NRHP November 20, 1970

St. Mary's Chapel is a historic Episcopal chapel located at 900 Hillsborough Street in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. The chapel is on the grounds of St. Mary's School, a college-preparatory boarding and day school founded in the 1840s. The 19th century building was designed by noted architect Richard Upjohn in the Gothic Revival style and later expanded. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 1970.

The Episcopal School for Boys, established in 1833 by the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, was located on a 159-acre (64 ha) tract of land acquired from Colonel William Polk. Construction of the school buildings began in 1834, but by 1837, the school was closed due to financial problems. The property was purchased by businessman and politician Duncan Cameron, a wealthy and influential figure in Raleigh. The school was reopened on May 12, 1842, as St. Mary's School for Girls, by Cameron and Reverend Albert Smedes, the school's first rector and president. Religious services at St. Mary's were originally held in the parlor of Main Hall, now known as Smedes Hall. Services were later held in a different room equipped with pews and an organ.

In 1855, the Cameron family donated funds for the construction of a school chapel. Richard Upjohn, a prominent 19th century architect, was chosen to design the building. His notable works include Trinity Church in New York City and Christ Episcopal Church in Raleigh, both of which are National Historic Landmarks. Thomas Atkinson, the third Episcopal Bishop of North Carolina, visited the chapel for the first time in 1858 and said "I was gratified by its beauty, its appropriate arrangements, and its adaptation to its purpose." Transepts were added in 1905, though most of the chapel was left unchanged. The building was designated a Raleigh Historic Landmark on June 16, 1969, and added to the NRHP on November 20, 1970. The building is also designated a contributing property to Saint Mary's School's listing as a historic district on the NRHP.


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