Hi my name is Luke Powery.
I'm the dean of Duke Chapel.
Welcome to Duke University Chapel, the great towering church.
It's my joy to welcome you inside the chapel to see some of the sights of this beautiful building.
Beginning in May 2015, the chapel underwent a restoration project to restore the chapel
back to its original beauty, so when you look inside or outside at the chapel, it should
look like we are back in the 1930s.
As you come into Duke Chapel, you can't help but lift up your head and look around and
one of the many sights you will see are the beautiful stained glass windows, which tell
the story of the saints and the stories of the Bible.
One of the things that you might not recognize when you first enter the chapel building from
the back is the beautiful organ, the Flentrop organ, which would be above your head in the
balcony in the back.
It is one of the treasures inside Duke Chapel.
Well as we walk down this aisle like so many people have done, I think of the many choirs
and generations of choirs that have processed for worship services.
I think of all of the graduates that have graduated from Duke, that come in here for
baccalaureate or convocations, and they're celebrating.
I think about the brides, all of the weddings that have happened in this space and their
excitement as they approach the front and I even remember those who are here coming
to take a seat who are here for a memorial service to remember a loved one who has gone
on before them, and so when I walk, I walk in honor of all of those who have walked.
This is Memorial Chapel, the little side chapel inside Duke Chapel and it's a memorial chapel
because it's here that we remember the Duke family.
In particular three Dukes are laid to rest: Washington Duke, James B. Duke and Benjamin
Duke and this chapel-- side chapel and also Duke Chapel-- really stand in their honor
because Duke Chapel represents their legacy.
Well now we are walking into what is known as the crypt of Duke Chapel and in the crypt
we have many of the luminaries from the past-- former presidents, former dean of the chapel--
who are laid to rest here.
President Terry Sanford, as an example.
President Few.
Also a former dean of the chapel, James Cleland, the longest-serving dean of the chapel, is
laid to rest here.
Many come here to pray, reflect, meditate and even study.
I'm standing behind what some may call the altar.
I call it a table.
This is where we preside at communion.
We are now going to walk up to the pulpit, where I spend a lot of time.
At every service, this is where I speak.
It can be viewed as a daunting task when the whole chapel is filled to 1500 or 1600 people
and I am lifted above the people, so there's a great sense of responsibility and sense
of privilege and joy to be able to share what I call the good news.
Thank you so much for taking the time to watch and I hope you take a longer time to come
and see the sights of Duke Chapel and hopefully hear the sounds of Duke Chapel at a later point.