In 1998 the Royal Jubilee Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae undertook the restoration of the Pemberton Memorial Chapel on the site of the Royal Jubilee Hospital (RJH).
The History
The Chapel was built in 1909, as a gift from Teresa Jane Pemberton, the wife of the first Surveyor General of Vancouver Island, Mr. Joseph Despard Pemberton. It was designed by J. C. M. Keith, with interior design by Sophie Deane Drummond, daughter of Joseph Pemberton.
For nearly 80 years the Chapel served as the spiritual centre of the hospital and played an integral and vital role in the lives of patients, families, and the students at the RJH School of Nursing. In 1979 the City of Victoria designated the Chapel as a heritage building, but in 1982 it was closed to the public for structural and safety reasons.
Restoration
After careful restoration and the installation of a beautiful Canadian-made Casavant pipe organ, the Chapel was re-opened in June 2003.
The emotional and spiritual aspects of health play a vital part in every patient's recovery and well-being. Today the Chapel seves as a multi-faith sanctuary for patients, their families, staff, and the community 24 hours a day.
The Gardens
The Pemberton Chapel Garden is one of three gardens making up the Royal Jubilee Hospital Heritage Park. The area includes two designated heritage buildings -- the Pemberton Memorial Chapel and the Pemberton Operating Room. The Victoria Medical Society plans to restore the original Operating Room, bordered by a garden. Completing the Heritage Park garden design is a Japanese Memorial Garden place in honour of Dr. Inazo Nitobe.
With the completion of the Pemberton Chapel Garden (funded and maintained by the RJH Nursing Alumnae), patients and staff are able to enjoy a wheelchair accessible garden for quiet tranquility and solace that complements the Chapel. The public is also able to access the Alumnae Nursing Archive/Museum in the lower level of the Chapel, making available a century of information about the nursing profession and women's history.
The triad of garden projects surrounded by heritage buildings brings together a unique therapeutic site at a medical campus that will complement Victoria's "City of Gardens" legacy.
Recognition of Donors
To recognize those who have made donations in amounts over $1000, the Alumnae have designed a donor recognition wall at the front entrance to the chapel Sanctuary. All other contributors are recognized in a beautiful leather-bound book.
Thanks for Your Help
The Alumnae members thank those who have contributed their funds and many volunteer hours to re-open the Pemberton Chapel Garden. For more information, or to find out more about the Alumnae Association of the RJH School of Nursing, please contact:
Alumnae Association of the RJH School of Nursing
Box 42071
2200 Oak Bay Avenue
Victoria, BC V8R 6T4
Website: http://www.rjhnursingalum.com/