New Interfaith Chapel at Emanuel Medical Center
April 16, 2025
Home > About > News & Media > Story Center
Over a decade in the making, a new Interfaith Chapel is now open at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center. The non-denominational sacred space is meant to honor the hospital’s founding in the Lutheran tradition while serving its commitment to provide holistic care to a diverse community.
The chapel will serve patients, visitors and staff at Legacy Emanuel, Randall Children’s Hospital and Legacy Oregon Burn Center. As a Level 1 trauma center, having a special place for solace is particularly important to the critical care provided to those facing unforeseen or extreme medical issues. Legacy Emanuel is committed to caring for patients: mind, body and spirit. The chapel is an important part of that care.
“While there are great complexities in healthcare, we continue to remain grounded in the simple reality that we’re human beings caring for other human beings. And we’re excited and grateful for all the ways our new chapel will support us in this work,” said Bahaa Wanly, president of Legacy Emanuel.
On Apr. 9, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held to officially open the chapel. The event gathered numerous staff, donors and community supporters who have worked for over ten years to bring the chapel from concept to reality. In cooperation with the Oregon Synod, nearly $1 million was raised from community supporters to fund construction.
Guests get a first look at the Interfaith Chapel
Bahaa Wanly, president of Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, and Jill Rowland, director of Spiritual Care
Jill Rowland cuts the ribbon to open the new Interfaith Chapel
Interfaith Chapel interior
The chapel is a welcoming environment for people of all backgrounds and faith traditions to find solitude for pause, prayer, reflection and meditation. The space has been thoughtfully designed to be accessible to all. Thematic elements of the chapel focus on the all-inclusive themes of nature, life and the cycles of both. These elements include:
- Labyrinth: Mirroring the path of a pilgrimage, the act of walking a labyrinth encourages mindfulness and self-reflection. The orientation of the labyrinth on the chapel floor indicates the direction of Mecca.
- Water: Represented in the space by washes of blue light and the sounds of fountains, water is an important symbol to many cultural, spiritual and religious traditions of cleansing and purification.
- Willow Tree: Depicted in the glass art that adorns the chapel, the willow tree’s resilience symbolizes renewal and vitality and the colors surrounding it represent the seasons of nature and life.
