Question: What was the first building planned for Duke University, but the last building to be completed?
Answer: Considered one of the last great examples of the Collegiate Gothic architectural style in the U.S., Duke Chapel was the first building planned for Duke University, but the last building to be completed. Its cornerstone was laid on Oct. 22, 1930, but it wasn’t formally dedicated until June 2, 1935. Duke Chapel is the largest and most prominent building of Duke’s historic West Campus because university founder James B. Duke wanted it to profoundly influence students’ spiritual lives.