Chapel dedicated

at St. John

Lutheran Home

Community raised funds for project

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

SPRINGFIELD -- Thanks to the fund-raising efforts of nursing home residents, staff and citizens, St. John Lutheran Home dedicated its new chapel Sunday afternoon as part of its 100th anniversary celebration.

The 3,087-square foot chapel seats 349 and can accommodate 110 wheelchairs. Fifteen stained glass windows grace the chapel, 12 of which came from the previous chapel. Lanesboro Art Glass Company recreated the new windows. Two 8-by-6 foot brick crosses adorn the outside wall of the building.

The chapel's two cornerstones were made from the original 1901 building that housed St. Johannes' Hospital, a 2 1/2-story brick building located at the same site of the current St. John complex on the east edge of town.

A closed-circuit television system enables residents to view church services from their rooms.

The 1901 building was remodeled in 1958. Nearly 20 years later, the von Fischer Chapel was built as part of a nursing home addition in 1987. At that time, Mike Mason of Sleepy Eye Stained Glass crafted nine windows, and those are in the new chapel.

The original fund-raising goal was $200,000 but more than $300,000 was raised, including $20,000 from employees.

"There was a significant outpouring of money and donated items from our community which was wonderful," St. John Chaplain Mary Pauluk said. "Considering what nursing homes are going through right now, this was a real commitment to the care that we want to continue to give to the Springfield area. It's also another example of how much civic pride there is here."

St. John Home Administrator Mary Krueger spoke at a chapel dedication program.

"It's been a wonderful and busy year here at St. John celebrating our 100th year of service," Krueger said.

She acknowledged the 25th year of the 522-member St. John Auxiliary for its leadership and volunteerism. She also thanked the board of directors, building committee, capital campaign members, Centennial Dedication Committee, area pastoral care givers, residents, staff, donors and benefactors that made the dedication possible.

The nursing home serves people from Springfield, Sanborn, Comfrey, New Ulm and Sleepy Eye. It includes 130 beds with 19 specialized Alzheimer's units. Twenty-four units of senior housing and a senior homestead cooperative are south of the nursing home.

State Sen. Dennis Frederickson, R-New Ulm, called St. John Home a top-rate facility with a very supportive staff and community.

Rep. Jim Clark, R-New Ulm, said the chapel is another wonderful accomplishment of the residents and City of Springfield whose motto as seen at the city's gateway sign -- "We have a lot to share."

Clark said the chapel is also symbolic of how much Springfield cares about its residents.