Regional One Health recently celebrated renovations to the Alice H. Davies Chapel, a project spearheaded by Presbyterian Women of the Mid-South (PC-USA) and the John K. and Katherine Johnson Auxiliary.
The project brought upgraded lighting, recovered pew seats, new stained glass and more to the 40-year-old chapel.
Our chapel is an essential part of our services, providing a place to host ecumenical worship services and a location where patients, family members and staff can find solace and comfort.
This holiday season, Regional One Health received a very special gift that will benefit patients, families, and staff for years to come – a renovated Alice H. Davies Chapel to serve the spiritual and emotional needs of the hospital community.
Presbyterian Women of the Mid-South (PC-USA) raised funds to donate to Regional One Health’s John K. and Katherine Johnson Auxiliary and Regional One Health Foundation for renovations including enhanced lighting, recovered pew seats, new paint and carpet, new stained glass, and a newly tuned piano.
On Friday, December 15, Auxiliary members were joined by leaders from the local Presbyterian community and Regional One Health to dedicate the renovated chapel.
In her homily, Reverend Kirsten King spoke to the importance of the chapel and how its creation fulfills the teachings of the Presbyterian faith.
“This chapel was a vision. This chapel was an answer to prayers. This chapel was borne out of love and hospitality for neighbors. This chapel is a witness to an understanding of what it means to be good stewards of God’s grace,” she said. “This chapel reflects the faithful stewardship of God’s gifts to each of the founding members and supporters for the glory of God.”
Rev. King said the Christian community is called to serve people in need and emphasize bonds of love and hospitality.
“The early stewards of this chapel set their hopes on living into that vision, into that calling. Rooted in an understanding of God’s saving grace through Jesus, this chapel is a place for living hope,” she said. “It is a place to draw near to God and to realize God’s gifts for the community.”
Leaders from Regional One Health, the Johnson Auxiliary, and the local Presbyterian community gathered in December 2023 to dedicate the newly-renovated Alice H. Davies Chapel at the hospital.
Auxiliary members began requesting space for a chapel in 1973, driven by a conversation with a mother whose son was in the hospital with critical injuries. When Auxiliary members asked how they could help, she replied, “All I want to do is find a quiet place to cry and pray.”
They worked diligently over the years to open the first chapel in the hospital’s 150-year history. The original chapel was opened in 1981, and it moved to its current location in 1984.
It is used for daily ecumenical services as well as by hundreds of people every year who are looking for a quiet place of solace. After 40 years of extensive use by patients, their loved ones, and hospital staff, it was in dire need of renovation. The Presbyterian Women of the Mid-South and Auxiliary once again rose to the challenge, raising funds for a major renovation.
Bonnie Blair, a founding member of the Auxiliary, said seeing the project come together was rewarding, and it is gratifying to know the chapel will continue to provide a place for prayer and peace. “I’m exhilarated to see the results of the renovation,” Blair said.
Tish Towns, Regional One Health Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, said the health care system is grateful to the Auxiliary for creating and renovating a facility that is so crucial to serving patients and staff.
“This season of Advent, we give thanks and are so happy you chose Regional One Health to establish a chapel to extend hope and healing to our patients,” she said.
Rev. King said supporters of the chapel hope it will continue to do so for years to come.
“What the founding members of the Auxiliary sought to do then with their God-given gifts, we seek to rededicate ourselves to now,” she said. “And with grace upon grace, may those who follow, the next generations, always steward their gifts to serve one another with constant love and hospitality. May this chapel continue to be a spiritual house bringing living hope.
The chapel renovation included enhanced lighting, recovered pew seats, new paint and carpet, new stained glass, and a newly tuned piano
The December 15 dedication also included remarks from Vivian Pauley, Presbyterian Women Moderator, Presbytery of the Mid-South. The presentation honored a number of people who were crucial in supporting the chapel and Auxiliary. They include:
- Johnson Auxiliary founding members Bonnie Blair, Kitty Bragg, Margaret Crymes, Alice Davies, Ann Gardner, Carolyn Hamlet; Dolores Kaiser, Eula Luther, Francis Meadows, Kitty Partee and Ethel Watkins
- The Johnson Auxiliary Board including President Jane Reynolds, Treasurer Pat Gesell, Secretary Elizabeth Velazquez, Vivian Pauley, Annette Bickers and Beverly Hooker
- Regional One Health leaders including President and CEO Dr. Reginald Coopwood, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer Tish Towns, Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer Tammie Ritchey, and Manager of Volunteer Experiences Summer Hardy.
- Nancy Blair-Bonk, Bonnie Blair’s daughter, selected the carpet, color for the pew covers, and paint; and spent hours coordinating selection of the stained-glass panels.
- Pat and David Gessel were instrumental in helping coordinate vendors and placement of artwork.