Faith Facts

• Saint Augustine’s University, a historically black Episcopal-affiliated institution in Raleigh, North Carolina, is preparing to file for bankruptcy and cease operations
• The 157-year-old university will end its ongoing fight to maintain accreditation after years of financial struggles
• The closure marks another challenge for faith-based higher education institutions facing mounting economic pressures and declining enrollment

A 157-year-old Christian university with deep roots in The Episcopal Church is preparing to close its doors permanently, marking the end of a storied institution that has served the African American community for more than a century and a half.

Saint Augustine’s University in Raleigh, North Carolina, announced it will file for bankruptcy and abandon efforts to retain its accreditation. The historically black university has been battling financial difficulties that have proven insurmountable despite the institution’s long history of service to students and the broader Christian community.

The decision represents a significant loss for faith-based education in America. Founded in the aftermath of the Civil War, Saint Augustine’s University has been a beacon of Christian higher education, emphasizing both academic excellence and spiritual formation grounded in Episcopal traditions.

The university’s struggles reflect broader challenges facing smaller Christian colleges and universities across the nation. Rising operational costs, declining enrollment numbers, and increased competition from larger institutions have placed enormous pressure on schools that prioritize faith formation alongside academic preparation.

For generations, Saint Augustine’s has provided educational opportunities rooted in Christian values to students who might otherwise have been denied access to higher education. The institution’s commitment to serving the African American community while maintaining its Christian identity has been central to its mission throughout its history.

The loss of accreditation fight signals the institution has exhausted its options for continuing operations. Accreditation is essential for universities to receive federal financial aid, which most students depend on to afford tuition. Without accreditation, enrollment becomes virtually impossible to sustain.

This closure serves as a sobering reminder of the fragile state of many faith-based institutions in modern America. As secular pressures mount and financial challenges intensify, universities committed to Christian education face an increasingly difficult landscape.

The Episcopal Church’s role in founding and supporting historically black institutions represents an important chapter in American Christian history. These schools were established with the explicit purpose of providing education grounded in Christian principles to communities that had been systematically denied such opportunities.

Current students and alumni are facing an uncertain future as the university prepares for closure. Families who chose Saint Augustine’s specifically for its Christian environment and values-based education must now seek alternatives that may not share the same foundational commitments to faith and character formation.

The bankruptcy filing will likely involve the sale of campus assets and the winding down of all academic programs. Students currently enrolled will need to transfer to other institutions to complete their degrees, disrupting their educational journeys and potentially their spiritual formation as well.

This development underscores the importance of supporting Christian higher education institutions that remain committed to their founding missions. As secular ideology increasingly dominates mainstream academia, the preservation of universities that integrate faith with learning becomes ever more critical.

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Faith Facts

• The Christian Chronicle faces $56,000 monthly printing and mailing costs, prompting evaluation of its print edition’s sustainability
• Readers overwhelmingly expressed their desire to keep the print edition, valuing the ability to hold and read the paper in their own time and space
• The publication exceeded its $168,000 fundraising goal for transition costs, demonstrating strong community support for independent Christian journalism

A prominent Christian news publication is navigating significant financial challenges as it seeks to maintain its print edition while adapting to the digital age. The transition has sparked an important conversation about the future of faith-based journalism and how believers prefer to receive their news.

The Christian Chronicle, which recently moved to independent nonprofit status, is grappling with mounting production costs. Printing and mailing the publication now costs approximately $56,000 per month for 12 annual issues—a substantial burden that has forced leadership to carefully consider the publication’s future format.

Despite enhanced digital offerings including downloadable PDFs, expanded online coverage with video content, and active social media presence across multiple platforms, readers have made their preferences clear. The overwhelming majority who responded to an inquiry about the publication’s format expressed strong attachment to the physical newspaper.

One reader explained their reasoning:

“I believe I am more likely to read it cover-to-cover, as I do now. I usually keep it out on the counter and read it over the course of a few days. With digital, it wouldn’t be in plain sight for me to keep going back to.”

The sentiment reflects a broader truth about how many Christians engage with content that matters to them. Physical newspapers offer a different reading experience—one that allows for contemplation, sharing with family members, and returning to stories multiple times. Many readers also mentioned their appreciation for features like the publication’s crossword puzzle, which has become a beloved tradition.

Leadership has responded to reader feedback with a commitment to continue print production as long as financially viable. As an experiment to manage costs, the publication is producing 10 issues in 2026 instead of the usual 12, allowing officials to assess the impact on the organization’s financial sustainability.

One reader captured the publication’s broader mission perfectly:

“Having a central location of news for the church helps (to) keep the community feeling part of the larger Christian family.”

The transition to independent status has not been without growing pains. Some subscribers recently received duplicate copies due to database migration issues during the move from Oklahoma Christian University. The organization is working to resolve these technical problems and has encouraged affected readers to contact their office for corrections.

The separation from the university also necessitated a new mailing address. Supporters should note that correspondence and contributions should no longer be sent to the old PO Box 11000 in Oklahoma City. The new address is PO Box 5240, Edmond, OK 73083-5240, or directly to the office at 2801 E Memorial Rd. Ste 102, Edmond, OK 73013.

Despite these challenges, there is much to celebrate. The publication set an ambitious fundraising goal of $168,000 last year to cover one-time transition costs and equipment expenses. Thanks to the generosity of faithful supporters, that goal was not only met but exceeded—a testament to the value readers place on independent Christian journalism.

The momentum continues with a current $100,000 matching gift opportunity for the spring appeal. These funds will support stories that matter to the Christian community, including the publication’s “Who Are We?” series exploring faith and identity in contemporary America.

This situation highlights a broader challenge facing Christian media organizations nationwide. As traditional print media faces economic pressures, faith-based publications must balance financial realities with their mission to serve and inform Christian communities. The strong response from readers demonstrates that there remains a hunger for quality Christian journalism delivered in formats that work for busy families.

The preservation of print Christian publications matters for several reasons. Physical newspapers can be shared easily in church buildings, placed in waiting rooms, and passed between generations. They don’t require internet access or digital literacy, making them accessible to elderly believers and those in rural areas with limited connectivity. Perhaps most importantly, they create space for intentional, focused reading away from the distractions of digital devices.

As the publication moves forward with its experimentation and fundraising efforts, it serves as an important case study for other Christian media organizations facing similar decisions. The outcome will help determine not just the future of one publication, but potentially influence how faith-based news organizations across the country approach the print-versus-digital question.

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Faith Facts

• The Christian Chronicle is maintaining its print edition despite $56,000 monthly printing and mailing costs after overwhelming reader support
• Readers emphasized the irreplaceable value of physical newspapers for faith-based news, with many saying they read cover-to-cover when holding the paper
• The publication exceeded its $168,000 fundraising goal for transition costs and now has a $100,000 matching gift available for spring donations

In an era when many publications have abandoned print entirely, The Christian Chronicle is charting a different course. Despite facing substantial financial pressures, the faith-focused newspaper is listening to its readers and keeping the presses running.

The publication’s move to independent nonprofit status has brought multiple challenges, including printing and mailing costs that now total approximately $56,000 per month for 12 annual issues. That’s more than half a million dollars per year just to produce the physical newspaper.

President and CEO Erik Tryggestad posed a direct question to readers in January: Should the Chronicle stop printing? The response was clear and passionate.

“I believe I am more likely to read it cover-to-cover, as I do now,” one reader responded. “I usually keep it out on the counter and read it over the course of a few days. With digital, it wouldn’t be in plain sight for me to keep going back to.”

The feedback revealed something publishers across America are rediscovering: physical newspapers create reading habits that digital formats often can’t replicate. Readers spoke about the tangible nature of holding news in their hands, the ability to read at their own pace and place, and even their appreciation for features like the crossword puzzle.

The Chronicle has invested significantly in its digital presence, offering downloadable PDFs of the print edition, expanded online coverage with video content, and active social media engagement on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok. An award-winning podcast is also being enhanced.

Yet none of these digital offerings could substitute for what readers value most about the printed page. Many suggested they would accept bimonthly or even quarterly print editions rather than lose the physical newspaper entirely.

“Having a central location of news for the church helps (to) keep the community feeling part of the larger Christian family,” one reader explained.

The publication is adapting to financial realities while honoring reader preferences. This year, the Chronicle is experimenting with 10 issues instead of 12 to help manage costs while maintaining the print presence readers cherish.

The transition to independence has brought some growing pains. A database migration resulted in some subscribers receiving duplicate copies. The publication is asking affected readers to contact Sawmi Sektak at [email protected] or call (405) 425-5070 to resolve the issue.

Readers should also note a new mailing address. The Chronicle has separated from Oklahoma Christian University’s postal box and now receives mail at PO Box 5240, Edmond, OK 73083-5240. Correspondence can also be sent directly to the office at 2801 E Memorial Rd. Ste 102, Edmond, OK 73013.

Despite the challenges, there’s good news on the financial front. The Chronicle set an ambitious goal of raising $168,000 for one-time transition and equipment costs. Thanks to reader support, that goal was not only met but exceeded.

Currently, a $100,000 matching gift has been secured for the spring appeal. Funds raised will support the publication’s ongoing coverage, including the “Who Are We?” series. Contributions can be made by mailing checks to the address above or through the donate button at christianchronicle.org.

The story of The Christian Chronicle illustrates a broader truth: when publications serve their audiences well and maintain their core mission, readers respond. In a media landscape increasingly dominated by digital-only operations, this faith-focused newspaper is proving that print still has a vital role in connecting Christian communities.

The publication’s commitment to continuing its print edition reflects both financial stewardship and servant leadership. By listening to readers and adapting thoughtfully rather than abandoning what works, the Chronicle is charting a sustainable path forward that honors both its mission and its audience.

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.