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The History of St. Anthony Hall at The University

St. Anthony Hall was founded as the Fraternity of Delta Psi on January 17, 1847, at Columbia University in New York. It began as a true fraternity dedicated to the love of education and the well being of its members. Chapters were soon founded throughout the Northeast, and extended into the South during the mid-1800s.

On April 20, 1860, the Upsilon chapter of the Fraternity of Delta Psi was founded by a small group of undergraduate students at the University of Virginia. Most people do not know the chapter barely made it beyond its first year, as it closed in 1861 at the outset of the Civil War and did not reopen until 1866. Many members wore their badges into battle, serving with distinction and were often reunited with brothers in the Northern chapters in both pleasant and antagonistic situations throughout the war.

Similarly, members of the fraternity took part in both the First and Second World Wars. Many honorable lives were lost, and the fraternity faced crises during each of these conflicts. St. Anthony Hall continued to prosper, however, in their aftermath. The Hall was always open and waiting for brethren to return from the front.

In April, 2010, the chapter celebrated its 150th Anniversary. Today we are part of an institution with a proud heritage linked closely to the University, which has thrived over the decades as a place of social, academic, and athletic leadership. More importantly, the Hall defined our UVA experience by forging friendships at a dynamic and challenging point in our lives.