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Medical Center fourth floor chapel doubles its size

by Terry Wilson
Pastoral Care
MUSC is a place overflowing with patients, families, and friends. One question that is constantly asked, “Where is the chapel?” 
 
There are four chapels at MUSC. The largest and most historic being St. Luke's Chapel. 
 
Charleston Memorial Hospital has a chapel on the third floor while Rutledge Tower is graced with the St. Francis Chapel on its first floor. 
 
The MUSC Medical Center's chapel is strategically located in the heart of many intensive care units on the fourth floor. Of the four chapels it has until recently been the smallest, about the size of a small office, even though it provided 24/7 sacred space for patients, families, and the staff of the largest medical center in the state.  

 In recent months the fourth floor chapel has doubled in size. The additional space provides more adequately for the spiritual needs of all. In times of great joy or deep sorrow, sacred spaces become special places. Patients, families, and friends are stressed to their limits as they face difficult times together. The chapel provides a space to be still in the midst of the chaos. Many utilize this space for worship, reflection, meditation, and clarity of thought around major decisions. The chapel includes two rooms that are connected by an arch, kneelers, a contemporary picture by Thomas Kincaid, and a print of “The Creation” by Michelangelo, a fountain, a collection of Care Notes, Holy Scriptures, chairs and plants. 
 
Thanks to a recently received donation to the chapel, we added a very old church pew from a church in Mississippi and on the side of the altar, a dried arrangement sprouting from a beautifully crafted olive jar. 
 
Visits of the newly renovated and enlarged chapel are welcomed and remember, it never closes. 
 

Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.