Lynn hospital plans multi-faith chapel
PATIENTS and visitors at Lynn's Queen Elizabeth Hospital will soon benefit from a new chapel designed to cater for every faith.
Plans for a "sacred space," to be built on a central courtyard within the hospital grounds, have been submitted to West Norfolk Council and it is hoped building work will begin later this year.
The previous chapel has been closed since the middle of June and a specially-constructed radiology suite, costing 1.9 million, has been built in its place.
Services have been held in rooms and even empty wards in the hospital while plans for the replacement building, which has a 290,000 budget, were drawn up.
Hospital chaplain the Rev canon Andrew Haig said: "It's been very ad- hoc over the last few months, but I think everyone's needs have been catered for."
The new cabin-style timber building, with a tiled roof, will be suitable for worship or meditation for many faiths and copies of different scriptures will be available.
Rev Haig said while many churches had a Christian chapel and a separate multi-faith room, the QEH will bring together all faiths in one building, with different services on different days.
He added: "We have taken the line that we ought to be able to share the space. People going for quiet time or individual prayer will be able to do this together. It would be lovely if people of no sort of faith use the building as well."
The new building, measuring 16 metres (52 ft) by 6.5 metres (21 ft) will be connected to the hospital by a porch near to the new X-ray department entrance.
"It's a simple, oblong building and will be lit mainly by skylights. It has a sense of height and I think it's important for a spiritual place that it does not feel cramped or claustrophobic. It will be light and airy," Rev Haig said.
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Weather for King's Lynn
Sunday 27 May 2012
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