History of the Chaplaincy

Portrait of Jessie Ball duPont

The Board of Trustees established the position of chaplain to the University in 1973. Situated within the Division of Student Development, the Office of the Chaplaincy plays a vital role in the enrichment of campus life. In October 1986, the Jessie Ball duPont Chair of the Chaplaincy was established as a permanent part of University of Richmond life with a $1.5 million endowment, created through a $750,000 challenge grant from the Jessie Ball duPont Religious, Charitable and Educational Fund in Jacksonville, Florida.

Founded by Virginia Baptists who believed that the life of the spirit and the life of the mind were intertwined, the University of Richmond is committed to supporting moral and spiritual values in an atmosphere free of sectarian bias.  To that end, the Chaplaincy fosters practices of care and well-being for the campus community and offers opportunities for students to grow in their own religious and spiritual traditions and to learn from those of different backgrounds.