We discuss general actions for matter-coupled N = 1 supergravity, that include generalized Chern-Simons terms. We clarify the importance of these terms in ensuring gauge and supersymmetry invariance in case axionic shift symmetries are gauged. We also indicate the interplay of Peccei-Quinn terms, generalized Chern-Simons terms and anomalies in the context of N = 1 supergravity.