THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 10, 1994 TAG: 9406080128
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PHYLLIS SPEIDELL, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: 940610 LENGTH: SUFFOLK
A groundbreaking on a chapel and education center annex to the nursing home at 4775 Bridge Road is planned this summer.
{REST} The $275,000 interdenominational chapel will be named the Lancaster Spiritual and Educational Center in honor of local businessman and philanthropist Arthur J. ``Junie'' Lancaster Jr. and his wife, Millie.
The Lancasters, both from Portsmouth, now live in Bennetts Creek.
Lancaster was the owner of Coleman Nursery in Churchland from 1965 to 1980, where he created the landmark ``Winter Wonderland'' animated Christmas display.
He also was the founder of Lancaster Farms and Bennetts Creek Wholesale Nursery, as well as the Lancaster Train and Old Toy Museum.
Lancaster was an organizer of the Bennetts Creek Ruritans and worked to establish the Bennetts Creek Rescue Squad.
The nursing center opened in December 1989. It originally was supposed to have a chapel, but building costs forced a postponement in those plans.
A small room in the nursing home has served as a temporary chapel and meditation room.
And the dining room occasionally is used for resident events and staff training, but those activities tend to disrupt the residents' daily routine.
During the past year, Lancaster was a patient in the nursing home. He saw firsthand the residents' need for a peaceful place to meditate and decided it was time to build a chapel.
The Bon Secours-Maryview Foundation raised funds through private donations from the Lancasters and others.
The 1,830-square-foot building will have an 80-seat chapel and a separate meeting room.
``One of the things we have tried to offer all along is holistic care, and that means the spiritual aspect of care as well as the physical and emotional,'' said Eileen Malo, Maryview administrator. ``People need, especially as they get older, to be able to get away by themselves, to be able to meditate, and I think this space will provide them that opportunity.''
The chapel also will provide a place for Sunday services, Jewish Sabbath services, and funeral and memorial services.
The room attached to the chapel will be used for staff in-service training and resident activities. It also will be available for public use.
by CNB