Pemberton Chapel Today
A Sanctuary
The Pemberton Memorial Chapel is a sanctuary in the middle of the Royal Jubilee Hospital; “sanctuary" in the sense of somewhere sacred; “sanctuary” in the sense of somewhere safe. It is not used for weekly worship services, but hundreds of people use it every week. Family members, staff, and patients all drop in to the chapel at all times of the day and night.
Some come to admire the beauty of the heritage building, but most come to pray, to contemplate, to catch their thoughts, to process some piece of medical news and its implications. Some come with a developed religious approach; some come with no organized way to connect with the Holy. All of us come with hearts longing for peace and serenity, searching for symbols and hints of hope and meaning.
The Chapel can be accessed from the 2nd floor hallway between the Diagnostic and Treatment Centre and the Royal Block.
Other Uses
There are no regularly scheduled services in the Pemberton Memorial Chapel. Occasionally, there are weddings for people who are connected to VIHA. Staff and patient memorial services occur from time to time. There is organ music played each Friday from 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. and various people play the piano. But the primary use of the chapel is by individuals who want a peaceful place for reflection and prayer.
To view guidelines for the use of the Pemberton Chapel, click here: Chapel Use Guidelines (PDF).
To book the chapel, click here: Client Agreement (PDF).
Guest Book
The chapel has a guest book at the back where people may sign their names and add comments. At the front there is a prayer desk with a book for prayers, into which people write prayer requests, thanksgivings, feelings, messages to God, and messages to loved ones who have died. Some are signed; many are anonymous. The chaplains attempt to pray the prayers written there on a daily basis.
Silence.
The traffic in the halls,
the over-head announcements,
the conversations,
all fade
and seem to be absorbed by the Silence.
You see the curves of the architecture,
you catch the faint whiff of old wood,
your eyes adjust to the gentle light,
and you feel the presence
of prayer,
of holiness,
of the sacred.
Your shoulders relax,
your eyes close,
you sigh:
you are safe.
And your heart opens:
to pray,
to cry,
to listen,
to hope.
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