DURHAM, N.C.—The selection of Baptist-ordained minister Luke Powery as the first African-American dean of the chapel at Duke University was strongly endorsed July 26 by the director of the Baptist House of Studies at the university’s divinity school.
Luke Powery will become the first African American—and first ordained Baptist—dean of Duke Chapel on Sept. 1. (Photo/Duke University)
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Powery, 38, will assume the position Sept. 1, succeeding Samuel Wells, who returned to England to become vicar at the church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Church in London. The new dean has taught homiletics at Princeton Theological Seminary since 2006.
Raised in the Holiness-Pentecostal tradition, Powery was ordained by the Progressive National Baptist Convention. As dean he will oversee the operation of the chapel, including Sunday worship services. The 1,600-seat Gothic-style chapel has a staff of about 25 and several student interns. Duke University is historically affiliated with the United Methodist Church, but services at Duke Chapel are ecumenical.
“Dr. Powery is a remarkably gifted preacher and teacher,” said Curtis Freeman, director of the Baptist House of Studies. “I am delighted that he is the first African American and the first Baptist to serve as dean of Duke Chapel. The students, staff, and faculty in the Baptist House of Studies at Duke Divinity School are looking forward to his arrival.”
Robert Dilday (rdilday@religiousherald.org) is managing editor of the Religious Herald.