New chapel to take center stage at OSF HealthCare St. Joseph Medical Center
Key Takeaways:
- The new chapel location is a place where Bishop Louis Tylka says visitors will feel the healing presence of God.
- The chapel is open daily to people of all faith traditions, even though it is rooted in Catholic worship.
- The location is between the emergency department and a main hospital entrance off of St. Joseph Drive.
- The nearly $2.4 million project was funded largely through private donations, including contributions from former patients, the community, and OSF Mission Partners (employees).
A new chapel at OSF HealthCare St. Joseph Medical Center highlights a visible and meaningful centerpiece on campus, designed to better serve patients, families and staff while reflecting the faith-based Mission of OSF.
Unlike the previous chapel, which was tucked away near the surgery area and was difficult to find, the new chapel is located prominently at the front of the campus near the emergency department – a deliberate decision meant to send a clear message.
“It is the front and center of our campus,” President Eunmee Shim points out. “So going from where no one can find it to the place that you can see as you pull up into our parking lot, I think is very, very important because It makes a statement that our faith is the most important part of our Mission.”
The new chapel has been intentionally designed to feel open, welcoming and inspiring. Features such as natural light aim to create a hopeful, peaceful environment where visitors can reflect and pray. Lead donor Trish Kallembach and her husband Larry love the new look and feel.
“This is much brighter. The old chapel was very dark … beautiful. The wood was beautiful, but it wasn’t lifting like this is. So yeah, this is beautiful, observes Trish Kallembach.
The space features seating for 35 individuals, with additional overflow space available to accommodate larger gatherings of up to 50. The altar and surrounding liturgical elements incorporate warm wood tones creating a calming and sacred atmosphere.
Visitors are welcomed by a statue of Saint Francis of Assisi, brought over from the Mother House in Peoria. Nearby, visitors encounter a softly illuminated electric-powered votive candle stand, providing an immediate opportunity for quiet reflection. The chapel also includes the Stations of the Cross brought over from the original chapel and a private confessional.
Feeling God's presence
During a mass that included a blessing of the altar and visitors The Most Reverand Bishop Louis Tylka explained that visitors will feel the presence of God.
“When they come into this space – because of what it is, but more importantly because of who we are – they will experience the face of Jesus, the presence of Jesus and they will know of God’s love and of God’s healing presence.”
Bishop Tylka also pointed out that the chapel is as important as any operating or patient room in the hospital. It’s a place where people can seek comfort or say prayers of gratitude when a surgery is successful or a baby is born.
“The heart of this hospital in Catholic health care is the chapel. And that’s why [I say] job well done because here at St. Joseph’s in this new space, this new chapel, many will come to know and experience the greatest love and compassion and care that we are called to offer because we are the face and presence of Jesus to one another.”
Shim points out the chapel supports the pastoral care team and represents an approach to whole-person healing that encompasses physical, mental and spiritual elements.
“So, it is an element that is very, very important to the healing journey that our patients go through and having a place that is open and welcoming for them to go and spend time with their families and find God, that’s just who we are and what our Mission is all about.”
More than 10 years in the making
The effort to construct a new chapel was a little more than a decade in the making. Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic which interrupted construction – including supply chain disruptions, material shortages, and rising costs – the project team successfully delivered the chapel on time (with the new timeline) and under budget. Pointcore used strategic collaboration and creative problem-solving to help navigate delays in procuring key materials such as specialty siding panels, HVAC components, and ceramic tile.
The nearly $2.4 million project was funded largely through private donations, which reflects broad support from community and staff members, including medical providers. OSF St. Joseph Auxiliary members were among the lead group of donors.
Auxiliary President Kris Burke is also an 18-year volunteer with OSF. She was near tears as she explained members put their hearts and souls into fundraising over the many years.
“Everybody was just so excited, and we would save money for specific projects, like chapel doors and it just meant so much to everyone, she recalls. “And some of them are gone now. They get to see it from above.”
While rooted in Catholic tradition, Shim emphasizes the space is intended anyone who needs a quiet space to reflect.
“Although the chapel embodies strong Catholic faith, it is a chapel for everybody and everything.”
The auxiliary and the Kallembachs are recognized on a donor wall just outside the chapel doors.
Trish Kallembach says as Roman Catholics, she and Larry believe strongly in the Mission of OSF HealthCare — to serve with the greatest care and love so they were happy to give back to a Ministry that has given so much to them during the years they lived in Bloomington and sought care at OSF.
“It’s beautiful – even more beautiful than the original plan was, I think. It’s welcoming. The place that it is, right between the emergency room and entrance to the hospital, so everyone that comes through is aware that the chapel is right here and I think that’s wonderful.”
The chapel will be open 24 hours, seven days a week. Roman Catholic masses will be held daily at 11 a.m. in the chapel.