Hospital Dedicates Non-Denominational Space and Illuminated Garden for Reflection

Surrounded by approximately 125 guests, hospital staff, and community leaders, Norwood Hospital formally dedicated its newly completed meditation room and adjoining garden during ceremonies yesterday at noon.

Designed to serve as a quiet sanctuary for prayer and reflection rather than a formal chapel, the meditation room is decorated in subdued tones of dusky rose and gray and features wall-to-wall carpeting. A massive plate glass window forms one entire wall, offering visitors a serene view of the newly landscaped garden.

The garden itself was donated and partially designed and planted by Jean Michaels of Attleboro in loving memory of her late husband, Ernest.

Dedication Highlights & Project Background

Design & Purpose

  • Non-Denominational Sanctuary: Hospital spokesman **Robert A. Johnson** noted that while clergy have served the hospital for years, the facility never had a dedicated chapel space. Organizers deliberately chose a meditation room over a traditional chapel since regular religious services will not be held there.
  • Location & Funding: Carved out of a portion of the Draper lobby in the hospital’s old wing, construction and furnishing funds were raised entirely through community donations. The space also houses an office for hospital clergy.
  • Year-Round Appeal: **Betty Anne Wissman** of Walpole, Chapel Committee chairman and former trustee, remarked: “The garden will be lighted at night and I can imagine it will be very pleasant to go there during the winter and look out on the snow.”

Ceremony & Committee Leadership

  • Invocation & Prayers: The Rev. **Daniel Crowley** of St. Peter’s Church delivered the invocation, while Rabbi **Jonathan Case** of Temple Shaare Tefilah offered the opening prayer.
  • Chapel Committee: Led by Betty Anne Wissman, the committee included Kay H. Collins, the Rev. Carole Baker, the Rev. Theodore Fritsch, Barbara Tillinghast, Kay Youngdahl, Donald G. Weir, Dr. James E. O’Neil, Robert A. Johnson, RNs Roberta Trahan, Gail Douglas, and Ida Kerwin, Bruce K. Komiske, Conrad Girard, Robert Simpson, and Marion Sprague. (Photo captured by staff photographer **Greg Derr**).

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger

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