THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 16, 1994 TAG: 9406150182
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 20 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PHYLLIS SPEIDELL, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: 940616 LENGTH: SUFFOLK
A late summer groundbreaking is planned on a new chapel and education center annex to the nursing home at 4775 Bridge Road.
{REST} The $275,000 interdenominational chapel will be named 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 Bennett's Creek.
Lancaster was the owner of Coleman's Nursery in Churchland from 1965 to 1980, where he created the ``Winter Wonderland'' animated Christmas display. He also was the founder of Lancaster Farms and Bennett's Creek Wholesale Nursery, as well as the Lancaster Train and Old Toy Museum.
The nursing center opened in December 1989. It was originally supposed to have a chapel, but building costs forced a postponement in those plans.
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