Part 2: As the Royal Adelaide Hospital moves sites so does spiritual care.
On the 25th August 2017 the Chapel at the Royal Adelaide Hospital was decommissioned.
A ceremony was held to officially end worship at Royal Adelaide Hospital site. Memories were shared about past spiritual care on the site and hopes for the future. Blessings were given as spiritual worship is moved from this site to the new location at the New Royal Adelaide Hospital. The final stage of the ceremony was the removing of artefacts and symbols to respect and remember the chapel.
“Today we have celebrated with thanksgiving the life, work and presence of this Chapel at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. It has been a gift of life to many. This chapel was dedicated in 1970, 47 years ago. We now declare that this chapel is decommissioned and is no longer a place of worship”.
Decommissioning Ceremony, 25th August 2017
In 2018 Renewal SA who now run Lot Fourteen (Former Royal Adelaide Hospital site) were seeking expressions of interest from businesses or individuals to move into the Hospital Chapel.
Part of the Advertisement:
Lot Fourteen -FREE RENT. The Chapel is a retro-looking space with light filled windows, a raised stage and a main room area of approximately 200sqm. It also has a balcony area with a view of the Chapel Lawns. The space can cater to events, workshops and cocktail functions. A small kitchenette and four smaller rooms are also available for the operator’s use. Read more and apply here. Expressions of interest close 2pm Thursday, 07 March
Renewal SA- Lot Fourteen
In 2018 the chapel was used as a bar and recreation space. “Hello Friday” events were held on the last Friday of every month and included food, wine, live music, table tennis and outside lawn games. These events were free to attend. Then in May 2019 “Mangiasti” an Italian cafe opened in the chapel and provided lunches and catering to the many tenants working on the old hospital site.
The RAH Chapel was demolished in 2022.
When the hospital moved sites the Spiritual Care Centre was created to provide patients and their families with spiritual, religious and emotional support to enhance health and wellbeing during their hospital stay. These services are also delivered in times of trauma, ill health and sadness.
The SCC is a quiet space for reflection, prayer and religious practices. It is available to all religions and there are Spiritual Care Practitioners and Chaplin’s who can help with spiritual and religious needs. The team at SCC also call upon other contacts or religious practitioners in the community such as a Rabbi, Iman or Priest. They also work as a collective with the Wellness Service and the Centre for Creative Health to facilitate opportunities for self-expression such as music, writing and art which have a powerful impact on a person’s healing journey.
Spiritual Care Service is at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, Level 3, Zone B.
Written by Kellie Branson, CALHN Health Muesum