Reaves Chapel Restoration Fund

Help complete the final phase of restoring Reaves Chapel!

After five years of dedicated effort, we are in the final stretch of our restoration journey for Reaves Chapel—a historic symbol of African American heritage and community strength in Navassa, North Carolina.

Built between 1860 and 1880 by formerly enslaved Gullah Geechee laborers, Reaves Chapel stands as more than just a building; it embodies the spirit and resilience of a community that has faced numerous challenges. For over 125 years, this 1,100 square foot wooden chapel was a sanctuary for worship, a center for celebrations, and a beacon of hope during times of social upheaval. Its bell rang out for both joyous and solemn occasions, and it provided a crucial space for communal gatherings through the Jim Crow era and the Civil Rights movement.

As we enter the final phase of restoration, we need your help to complete the project. The coming months will involve finishing the interior work—installing electrical systems, insulation, HVAC, and restoring the interior to its historical integrity. We will also enhance the site with a new driveway, parking spaces, external restroom facility, and landscaping.

This is an opportunity to see the restoration of Reaves Chapel through to its historic conclusion. Your donation will help us finalize the remaining work and prepare for the chapel to be managed as a state historic site by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. This will ensure that the chapel remains an educational resource and a source of pride for the local community for generations to come.

Make your gift below and help bring this project to completion.

You can learn more about this project here.