
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, March 13, 1990                   TAG: 9003133281
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-2   EDITION: BEDFORD/FRANKLIN  
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

LEWIS-GALE DEDICATES CHAPEL FOR HEALING

A sixth-floor chapel for community and staff was dedicated Monday at Lewis-Gale Hospital in Salem. Its approximately 20 seats were filled for a noon program that brought together interfaith representatives.

The Rev. David Wolfe, pastoral care coordinator, and Karl Miller, president of the Salem medical center, said the chapel represents a new concept in healing. It was designed as a quiet and beautiful place to restore the souls of anyone worried about illness in their loved ones or themselves.

Miller said that until about five years ago, most medical centers did not provide for religious help for their patients. Lately it has been recognized that illness causes a turning to God as a source of strength; for this reason having a place of solace with spiritual guides nearby can make serious illness easier to bear, he said.

The chapel is enhanced by a stained glass window crafted by Donna B. Layne. Its scriptural basis is the 121st Psalm, which refers to comfort of the hills. Also recognized as a major benefactor was Kathryn Spicer, widow of staff physician Donald Spicer.

Wolfe said the chapel already is in use by families of the seriously ill

by CNB