Holt Chapel was acquired by Elon when it purchased land from Elon Homes in 2003. This land was the space that is now Elon’s south campus. The buildings included in the purchase include the Truitt building, Johnston Hall, Holt Chapel, and three residential cottages. It had originally been donated to the Christian Orphanage in 1956 by Mr. and Mrs. William Kirkpatrick Holt, for whom the building is named. The chapel was restored in 2005 after Elon received gifts from Iris Holt McEwen Copeland and Elon parents Joe and Anne Hsu. In the renovations, a vestibule, kitchen and handicapped accessible restrooms were added on the lower level. The sanctuary can seat up to 120 people, and there is a meeting room on the ground floor where student organizations can meet. Outside the chapel, there is a meditation garden and a tree-shaped labyrinth that was named in honor of Chaplain Emeritus Richard McBride.
