Pauli Murray Pilgrimage
Community Family Life & Recreation Center at Lyon Park, NC, 27707
Saturday, October 31 2026
Event Details
What is this Event?
This event combines community building, history, and spirituality. We’re using "Pilgrimage" to describe a spiritual journey leading to places with particular significance and connections to the Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray. Participants can walk this self-guided route between sites of importance to the Rev. Dr. Murray. At each stop, you will get a unique stamp in your pilgrimage passbook, information about the history of the location, and reflection prompts.
What will participants receive?
All participants will receive a passport booklet, giveaway items, and the opportunity to learn about Murray's remarkable life. Once you complete your passport booklet with stamps from each location, you can use it to get in FREE to Pauli Murray's childhood home to explore the exhibits. The first 50 visitors will also receive free breakfast from Monuts.
Do I need to be a Christian or Episcopalian to join?
Everyone is welcome on the Pauli Murray Pilgrimage; you don’t need to be Episcopalian, Christian, or religious! At each stop, you can choose from prayers, meditations, and conversation starters, whichever activity feels best for you.
How well should I know Pauli Murray to join?
You can learn more about Pauli Murray by visiting this page about Pauli Murray’s life, , participating in a guided tour of the Pauli Murray Center, watching the documentary My Name Is Pauli Murray on Amazon Prime, reading their memoir Proud Shoes or their autobiography Song in a Weary Throat. If you are unfamiliar with the Rev. Dr. Murray, we recommend familiarizing yourself with their history beforehand in order to get the most out of the pilgrimage.
Where will we be going?
You will stop at table displays within the Lyon Park Center representing the following sites:
All pilgrimage participants receive a fanny pack ($15 value) and Pauli Murray Center branded items (estimated $10 value), and Monuts catered breakfast for the first 50 people ($20 value). While there is no required fee, please consider helping us offset the cost of this amazing experience by donating as you are able.
What time does it start and when should it end? How long does it take?
Begin the pilgrimage between at 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM. All the stops will close at 12:00 PM. We recommend budgeting 30 minutes to thoughtfully complete the entire journey, but your speed will largely depend on how much time you personally choose to spend reflecting on the prompts.
Can I walk in a group? Is it okay to walk alone?
You are welcome to attend the pilgrimage as an individual or with a group! We ask that you register individually so that we can get a sense of how many people will be attending.
Is this kid-friendly?
Yes! All are welcome to attend and participate. Children should be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times.
Who should I contact with any questions?
Reach out to us at [email protected]
- Participants will learn about the history of Durham and its importance in Murray’s legacy. At each stop, participants will receive selected prayers, meditations, and conversation starters to encourage reflection and fellowship.
- This year, we’re making the experience fully accessible by bringing the pilgrimage indoors—no 4-mile walk required!
Participants will journey through the Lyon Park Community Center auditorium, where sites significant to Pauli Murray will be represented. At each stop, you’ll learn about its connection to Pauli and Durham history, then have opportunities for reflection, conversation, and fellowship. Stops represented include St. Titus Episcopal Church, Standford L. Warren Library, St. Philip's Episcopal Church, and Hillside High School. - Everyone is welcome: You don’t need to be Christian, Episcopalian, religious, or already familiar with Pauli Murray to participate.
- Participants are welcome to arrive at any time between 10 AM - 11 AM, but your journey must be complete by 11:30 AM.
What is this Event?
This event combines community building, history, and spirituality. We’re using "Pilgrimage" to describe a spiritual journey leading to places with particular significance and connections to the Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray. Participants can walk this self-guided route between sites of importance to the Rev. Dr. Murray. At each stop, you will get a unique stamp in your pilgrimage passbook, information about the history of the location, and reflection prompts.
What will participants receive?
All participants will receive a passport booklet, giveaway items, and the opportunity to learn about Murray's remarkable life. Once you complete your passport booklet with stamps from each location, you can use it to get in FREE to Pauli Murray's childhood home to explore the exhibits. The first 50 visitors will also receive free breakfast from Monuts.
Do I need to be a Christian or Episcopalian to join?
Everyone is welcome on the Pauli Murray Pilgrimage; you don’t need to be Episcopalian, Christian, or religious! At each stop, you can choose from prayers, meditations, and conversation starters, whichever activity feels best for you.
How well should I know Pauli Murray to join?
You can learn more about Pauli Murray by visiting this page about Pauli Murray’s life, , participating in a guided tour of the Pauli Murray Center, watching the documentary My Name Is Pauli Murray on Amazon Prime, reading their memoir Proud Shoes or their autobiography Song in a Weary Throat. If you are unfamiliar with the Rev. Dr. Murray, we recommend familiarizing yourself with their history beforehand in order to get the most out of the pilgrimage.
Where will we be going?
You will stop at table displays within the Lyon Park Center representing the following sites:
- The Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice (the home where the Rev. Dr. Murray grew up)
- Hillside High School (Murray's high school)
- St. Titus Episcopal Church (Murray's childhood church)
- Stanford L. Warren Library (Murray's childhood library)
- St. Philip's Episcopal Church (where Murray preached as a deacon)
All pilgrimage participants receive a fanny pack ($15 value) and Pauli Murray Center branded items (estimated $10 value), and Monuts catered breakfast for the first 50 people ($20 value). While there is no required fee, please consider helping us offset the cost of this amazing experience by donating as you are able.
What time does it start and when should it end? How long does it take?
Begin the pilgrimage between at 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM. All the stops will close at 12:00 PM. We recommend budgeting 30 minutes to thoughtfully complete the entire journey, but your speed will largely depend on how much time you personally choose to spend reflecting on the prompts.
Can I walk in a group? Is it okay to walk alone?
You are welcome to attend the pilgrimage as an individual or with a group! We ask that you register individually so that we can get a sense of how many people will be attending.
Is this kid-friendly?
Yes! All are welcome to attend and participate. Children should be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times.
Who should I contact with any questions?
Reach out to us at [email protected]
