A new chapel at OSF HealthCare St. Joseph Medical Center was unveiled on Apr. 23, offering a prominent and accessible space for patients, families, and staff that reflects the organization’s faith-based mission.
The chapel is positioned near the emergency department at the front of the campus, making it easier to find than its predecessor. This location was chosen intentionally to highlight the importance of faith within OSF HealthCare’s operations.
“It is the front and center of our campus,” President Eunmee Shim said. “So going from where no one can find it to the place that you can see as you pull up into our parking lot, I think is very, very important because It makes a statement that our faith is the most important part of our Mission.”
The design emphasizes openness and natural light to create a peaceful environment for reflection and prayer. Lead donor Trish Kallembach said, “This is much brighter. The old chapel was very dark … beautiful. The wood was beautiful, but it wasn’t lifting like this is. So yeah, this is beautiful.” The space accommodates seating for 35 people with overflow capacity for up to 50 attendees during larger gatherings.
During a blessing ceremony in the new chapel, The Most Reverend Bishop Louis Tylka said visitors will feel God’s presence: “When they come into this space – because of what it is, but more importantly because of who we are – they will experience the face of Jesus, the presence of Jesus and they will know of God’s love and of God’s healing presence.” Tylka also called attention to its significance within Catholic health care: “The heart of this hospital in Catholic health care is the chapel… many will come to know and experience the greatest love and compassion and care that we are called to offer because we are the face and presence of Jesus to one another.”
The nearly $2.4 million project took over a decade from conception through completion due in part to delays caused by COVID-19 disruptions such as supply chain issues; however, Pointcore managed construction so that work finished under budget despite these challenges.
Auxiliary President Kris Burke described how members supported fundraising efforts over many years: “Everybody was just so excited, and we would save money for specific projects… And some of them are gone now. They get to see it from above.” Shim emphasized inclusivity: “Although the chapel embodies strong Catholic faith, it is a chapel for everybody and everything.”
OSF HealthCare operates as an integrated nonprofit system managing hospitals—including St. Joseph Medical Center—clinics, urgent-care centers, physician practices under one ministry dedicated to community service according to its official website. Its network spans Illinois and Michigan with services ranging from emergency care through digital health options via OSF OnCall according to its official website.
The new chapel supports whole-person healing by addressing spiritual needs alongside physical or mental ones—a core element in OSF HealthCare’s approach as described on its official website. Regular Roman Catholic masses will be held Wednesday through Sunday at 11 a.m., while doors remain open around-the-clock.
