Chapel Hall

History of Ownership


Chapel Hall frontage, photo by Misia Leonard

From its construction in 1854 until 1909, when it was absorbed into the state public educational system, Chapel Hall was the property of the Delaware Literary Institute. In 1909 the Board of Trustees of the Delaware Literary Institute transferred ownership of Chapel Hall, as described in the deed, to The Franklin Lodge #562, Free and Accepted Masons, who became the second owners of the building. Although it was the center for their masonic activity, the Lodge kept Chapel Hall open and available to the public for cultural and community events. By turning the 3rd floor dormitory into their temple, the masons added an architecturally significant interior with walls and ceilings completely lined with polychromatic pressed tin.

By 1996, the Lodge was finding it increasingly difficult to maintain the building. Their membership was dwindling and aging, and Chapel Hall had been deteriorating for a number of years. Because they believed the building should remain in the public sphere, the Lodge hesitated to sell it to commercial developers, who wanted to turn Chapel Hall into an apartment house. Hearing of their difficulty, Franklin residents Eugene Marner, Carole Lucia Satrina and Thomas W. Butts, Jr. approached the Lodge and asked them to lease the building as a theatre. The Masons, instead, offered to give the building to them if they could be assured that Chapel Hall would continue to be available to community and cultural groups for social events and public performances. A not-for-profit corporation, Franklin Stock Company at Chapel Hall, Inc., was formed in October 1996 to which the Lodge transferred the title of the building in July, 1997.

Since assuming ownership of Chapel Hall, FSC has committed time, energy, and resources to the preservation of the building. The decision was taken first to make Chapel Hall attractive, comfortable, functional, safe & ADA accessible before addressing major structural problems. Over $115,000 in grants and $10,000 in donated labor from local tradespeople and artisans was raised for stage and auditorium improvements, including an elegant new lobby, unveiled in 2002 to much acclaim.

Chapel Hall is now a viable venue with an enhanced public awareness of its beauty, utility, and the vitality it brings to the community.