New Chapel Full of Serenity and Symbolism

A dedication service for the newly renovated Chapel space at Hospice of Dayton was held on Friday, April 3, 2015.  The original Chapel was part of the Colp Building addition and opened in 1990.

The designer of the new Chapel, Beth Striebel, along with Architect, Paul Striebel, and Franklin Art Glass, paid homage to Biblical symbolism throughout their beautiful design.  The serene water fountain symbolizes baptism and renewal, while the stone wall mimics the look of the “Wailing Wall” for prayer in Jerusalem.

Beth Striebel explains the inspirational symbolism evident throughout her design:

 “The stained glass panels convey a sense of tranquility, stirs the imagination, and presents an image of God’s outreach of His love.  The flowing design brings together the separated panels of glass and encloses the space of the Chapel the same way a prayer shawl, Tallith, ‘Little Tent’, provides enclosure to us, while in prayer. The lines in this piece represent the fringes of thread, Zizith, ‘Tassels’, found at the four corners of the prayer shawl, Tallith, ‘Little Tent’. The Tallith is symbolic of God’s love and provisions for His people, as is said in Psalm 61:4 (‘Let me dwell in Your tent forever!; Let me take refuge under the shelter of Your wings’)…The stained glass depicts a sweet sense of our loving Father’s care at a time when life seems so fragile, and encourages all that allow their imagination to receive, what their heart can feel.”

Welcomed with the soft guitar and vocals of Chaplain Mollie Magee, dedication service attendees joined in a Litany of Thanksgiving for the Chapel, along with a blessing, and the Hospice Prayer. We are thankful for this new Chapel for our patients, family members, and staff to enjoy this space for peaceful prayer and reflection.