Aerial survey · USDA NAIP · public domainAlabama's oldest public building in continuous use on its original site, this 1851 Greek Revival chapel served as a Confederate hospital and is said to be haunted by a British soldier who died there in 1864.
S College St & Thach Ave, Auburn, AL 35849
Research updated June 2026
Age
All Ages
Cost
Free
Free to visit as a public campus landmark; ticketed events and wedding reservations are available.
Access
Wheelchair OK
Campus grounds with paved paths; chapel interior is accessible.
Equipment
Photos OK
Est. 1851 · Alabama's oldest public building in continuous use at original site · Confederate hospital during the Civil War (1861–1865) · Home of Auburn Players Theater (1927–1973) · National Register of Historic Places
Auburn University Chapel was completed in 1851, designed by architect Edwin Reese in the Greek Revival style. It stands at the corner of South College Street and Thach Avenue on the Auburn University campus and is considered Alabama's oldest public building in continuous use at its original site.
During the Civil War, the building was converted from a Presbyterian church into a Confederate hospital, receiving wounded soldiers from nearby engagements. According to Wikipedia's entry on the chapel, the building 'briefly served as a Confederate hospital for wounded soldiers.' Local tradition holds that among the soldiers treated there was Sydney Grimlett, described in oral accounts as a British volunteer serving with Confederate forces. Grimlett reportedly died in 1864 following an amputation procedure for a leg wound sustained in battle. Historical sources acknowledge the account while noting that details of Grimlett's actual identity and military unit are disputed and difficult to verify.
By the turn of the 20th century, the chapel's exterior had been renovated in the Gothic Revival style. The building was transferred to Auburn University's ownership and used for a variety of campus functions. From 1927 to 1973, it served as the home of the Auburn Players Theater, the college's student theatre troupe. During this period, the building hosted theatrical productions and campus gatherings. After 1973, it was significantly renovated between 1973 and 1976 to serve as an interdenominational chapel. Today it is used for lectures, memorial services, and ceremonial university events. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Sources
The legend of Sydney Grimlett has circulated at Auburn for well over a century. Campus tradition holds that Grimlett, an English-born volunteer fighting with Confederate forces, received treatment at the chapel-turned-hospital and died there in 1864 following the amputation of his leg. The haunted-haven blog's 2013 documentation notes that 'historical elements regarding his actual identity and cause of death are sketchy at best,' marking the specific details as oral legend rather than documented fact. What sources do agree on is that the chapel served as a Civil War hospital and that soldiers were treated and died there.
When the Auburn Players Theater used the chapel from 1927 to 1973, a pattern of strange occurrences took hold. According to accounts aggregated by Auburn-Opelika Tourism and the hauntedhaven.blogspot documentation, audience members reported glowing orbs hovering near actors during student productions. Props disappeared from the set before opening-night performances. Cast and crew developed a set of traditions around the spirit: leaving candy — specifically M&Ms — in the rafters as an appeasement, and appealing directly to 'Grimlett' when items went missing.
After the Auburn Players relocated to the newly constructed Telfair Peet Theatre in 1973, reports of Grimlett's activity followed. Theatre personnel at Telfair Peet have described missing costume pieces later found in unexpected locations and dark figures glimpsed near the projection room and stage wings. The campus tradition treats Grimlett as a benign presence invested in theatrical life at Auburn, not a source of harm.
Notable Entities
Walk the grounds of Alabama's oldest public building. The exterior and grounds are accessible to campus visitors year-round. The chapel is open for interior visits during non-event hours. Interpretive markers describe the Civil War hospital period and the building's architectural evolution from Greek Revival to Gothic Revival.
Every HauntBound history is researched from documented sources. We clearly separate verified historical fact from paranormal folklore.
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