COASTLINES Summer 2025
Reaves Chapel Restoration Complete
A CELEBRATION OF
HISTORY AND COMMUNITY
Photo credit: Cassian Films
A
fter years of dedication and hard work, the restoration of Reaves Chapel in Navassa is complete. This remarkable achievement preserves one of southeastern North Carolina’s most culturally significant African American landmarks, ensuring that its history and legacy remain alive for future generations. The Coastal Land Trust and the Cedar Hill/West Bank Heritage Foundation partnered to restore
COASTLINES SUMMER 2025
the Chapel, a structure built by formerly enslaved individuals just after the Civil War. Originally located along the Cape Fear River, Reaves Chapel was moved to its current site in 1911 by its congregation, using logs and oxen. For decades, it served as a place of worship and community gathering for the descendants of the Gullah Geechee people, whose history is deeply rooted in the rice plantations of the region. However, after years of exposure to the elements, the building had
fallen into disrepair, prompting a community-led effort to save the Chapel. The Coastal Land Trust became involved in 2015, purchased the property and undertook stabilization of the Chapel in 2019, and began major restoration work in 2021. The restoration, completed in January 2025, included rebuilding the foundation, replacing damaged siding and flooring, installing a new roof, restoring REAVES, cont’d. on page 6 CoastalLandTrust.org