Unitia, Loudon County, Tennessee

Built in 1899 • National Register of Historic Places • African American Heritage Landmark

Our Story

Hackney Chapel was built in 1899 by African American families

of the rural Unitia community. Generations gathered here to worship, to learn, and to honor their ancestors.

The church stands as a testament to faith, resilience, and heritage — and in the year 2000 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places for its cultural and historical importance.

Each May, families return for our Decoration Day tradition, where we worship together and decorate the graves of loved ones in the church cemetery — including Lafayette Hackney, a soldier in the U.S. Colored Troops who fought for freedom during the Civil War.

This is more than a building. It is a story of a people, their struggle, and their enduring hope.

Why We Need Your Help

Hackney Chapel is now 126 years old. Time and weather have taken their toll, and major repairs are urgently needed to preserve the building for future generations.

We need $175,000 to cover:

We receive annual donations and have held fundraisers over the past few years, however the costs of repairs far exceed our income.

Why Now

This coming year’s Decoration Day Service (May 17, 2026) may be our most important ever. We want to gather not only to remember the past, but to secure the future of this sacred place.

With your help, Hackney Chapel can continue to stand as a living monument to African American history, faith, and community resilience.

How You Can Help

Join Us in Preserving This Legacy

Hackney Chapel is not just our history — it is American history. Together, we can ensure that future generations will walk through its doors, sing its hymns, and remember the lives and sacrifices of those who came before.

Please give today, and help us keep Hackney Chapel’s light shining.

Thank you from the Hackney Chapel Committee.