Timeline of Chi Chapter

June 28th, 1855

Sigma Chi founded!

Sigma Chi is founded at Miami University in Ohio.

May 30, 1871

Chi Chapter Founded!

Chi Chapter of Sigma Chi is founded at Hanover College.

Circa 1888

First Chapter House takes roots

Chi Chapter desired to purchase land to build their own Chapter House, which would also be known as the first chapter of Sigma Chi to build their own house.

By Spring 1890, the newly constructed Chapter House is complete and built at the same site where the original founders of Chi Chapter had met when pushing their efforts for a charter for Chi Chapter. Upon its completion, the “Chapter House Association of Chi Chapter of the Sigma Chi Fraternity” is formed, now known as the Housing Corporation of Chi Chapter of the International Sigma Chi Fraternity.

Sigma Chi House, Hanover College, c. 1890.

More information about the first Chapter House can be found here.

Circa 1917

Chi Chapter Dormancy

Chi Chapter becomes dormant after the United States of America had joined World War I and by that time, there were only 8 men enrolled at Hanover College.

Circa 1936

Chi Chapter is reformed

After going dormant, the chapter was reformed in 1936. By this time, the original charter for Chi Chapter had gone missing.

Circa 1969

Proclamation of 1969

The brothers of Chi Chapter stated that race would not be a factor in giving a bid, and a man’s character was the only point open to question.

April 3, 1974

Chapter House destroyed by natural causes

In 1974, the original Chapter House is destroyed by tornadoes that hit Hanover College. By this time, it was no longer serving as a chapter house for Chi Chapter.

However, the original stained glass windows that were in the original construction of the house were saved because they had been removed when Chi Chapter had become dormant in 1917. They now hang in the International Headquarters of Sigma Chi building in Evanston, Illinois, after being donated in 1995.
Read more about it here.

April 2nd, 2015

Original Charter is found!

The previously lost charter is found and recovered. More details can be found here: https://chichapter.org

February 3rd, 2025

Blue-Level Bell Chapter Status Achieved!

The House Corporation has worked to ensuring a prosperous, secure, and stable future for Chi Chapter.

The House Corporation secured the blue-level Bell Chapter status for Chi Chapter. We know the chapter will benefit from the following perks of becoming a Bell Chapter.