Corolla Chapel was built in 1885 and was recently moved so that it could be expanded to accommodate its growing attendance. The century-old chapel still has its original interior walls and ceilings and is furnished with many of the original items including its pews, pedal organ, pulpit and pulpit chairs.

Established in 1885 the local community in Corolla formed a congregation. Two carpenters built the original one room Chapel which had a seating capacity of 100. The chapel was in the Baptist Conference from 1885 to 1938. They would send Circuit riding preachers to the chapel fairly regularly. In those days there were no bridges and access to the Outer Banks was gained primarily by way of boats. Due to the difficulty in getting to the Outer Banks, sometime in 1938 the preachers gradually stopped coming regularly. The chapel continued to be used for Sunday school and an occasional Pastor visiting the area from 1938 to around 1958

It was listed to be sold on a tax sale as abandoned property in 1962. John W. Austin protested and was given the deed to the property with the stipulation that he had to pay taxes as long as there was no schedule of services.

The chapel eventually fell in to disuse. In the early 1980’s a variety of groups came to minister at the chapel for a few weeks each summer, but none ever stayed. In 1987 Pastor John Strauss and his wife Ruth came to Corolla Chapel during the summer season. At the urging of some of the local parishioners, Pastor John and his wife started a year round service in 1988.

Growth: A vestibule, restroom, and porch were added in 1992. In the ensuing years the Outer Bank experienced a growing influx of tourism. On January 30, 1995 Ruth Strauss went to be with her Lord. Ruth played a pivotal role in bringing the chapel to where it is today.

Plans were drawn to increase the size of the little chapel to accommodate the area’s growth and make room for the growing number of vacationers attracted to the Corolla area. A new structure was envisioned which would accommodate and compliment the little chapel. Included in the vision was a beautiful stain glass window designed and commissioned by Pastor Strauss to honor his late wife Ruth. The congregation needed to obtain property to carry out this vision. In 2001 a lot across the street from the chapel’s original location was purchased and construction was started on the present structure.

On October 4, 2002 the old chapel was moved across the street and affixed to the new construction forming a cruciform.

Construction of a new Fellowship Hall on the south side of the structure was begun and completed in 2007.

The original structure was a one room rectangular building. The architecture of the church is in the style of the late 1800’s country churches of that period. While it has a simple design, it is still one of the quaintest churches that you will visit. The original section of the church has retained its wall boards, complete with the hangers for kerosene lamps. It also has its original pews, a pedal organ, and its steeple bell, which is rung every Sunday.

Corolla Chapel is located behind the Currituck Beach Lighthouse on the sound side of old Corolla Village. The signage in the Old Corolla Village makes it easy to locate the Chapel.

Yes, the chapel is usually open for tours a few hours four days each week. Tours are given by church volunteers and can be scheduled in advance. The hours are generally flexible, depending on the date and other variables.

The one thing that probably makes Corolla Chapel stand out among other historic churches is its simple elegance and charm. In fact the most frequent comments that we receive about the chapel is regarding how lovely and charming it is.

The Chapel is very unique in the way it has been preserved in the remote fishing village for over 100 years. These days, many visitors enjoy visiting the Chapel while they are vacationing on the Currituck Outer Banks. It is also part of the whole Old Corolla Village experience that lets the visitors see what life was like here in the past.

Perhaps. We do have local sign ordinances, but I would imagine that if the sign was small and not obtrusive that we may be able to get away with it. The proposal for the sign would have to be reviewed and approved by our Board of Directors.