Sanctuary at Ellsworth hospital will be reserved for spiritual health

ELLSWORTH – Staff members, patients and relatives with loved ones who are sick will have a special place at Maine Coast Memorial Hospital to pray or reflect, thanks to the generosity of an Ellsworth couple.

Longtime hospital supporters Delmont and Betty Merrill have offered to pay for the construction of the 51-year-old hospital’s first chapel.

Members of a steering committee say the sanctuary will be nondenominational and quiet.

Just one floor above the emergency room, it will be at the apex of two patient wings in the central part of the building.

The area was originally planned for use as offices, but a beautiful sunset seen through the room’s large window told hospital President Douglas Jones that the space had a higher calling.

“It has a spiritual quality about it,” he said.

On a clear day, visitors will be able to see Union River Bay and Blue Hill.

The walls will have maple paneling and pale green paint. The ceiling will be a slightly darker shade of green with recessed lighting, and the floor will be carpeted.

The rest of the decor will include fabric chairs, custom floor lamps and silk curtains.

The architect for the project is Peter Knuppel, a lighting designer from Sullivan.

“What they are trying to do is give the chapel a soothing, quiet type of feeling when you walk in,” said T.J. Sawyer, assistant supervisor for maintenance and security. “I think a lot of people will use it.”

Ervin Graham, who works at the hospital as a respiratory care practitioner, said the chapel will be an important place for patients as well as clinicians.

“It is just a place to go and reflect, pray or meditate,” he said. “There are overwhelming happenings at a hospital. Sometimes you get close to a patient that dies.”

There are no chaplains assigned to the hospital, but Graham said he is hoping the new chapel will spark permanent connections with the churches in the area.

“Everything has to be right with you in order to be healthy, and that includes your spiritual life,” he said. “It is an important aspect of patient care.”