Hospital chapel

Press, 18 May 1989, Page 12

Hospital chapel

Sir, —As a grandson of the first chaplain of the Christchurch Hospital Nurses’ Memorial Chapel I question the need for its demolition. Bruce Hancock (May 13) mentions the problem of having to lock the chapel and safeguard its windows. This also applies to the Cathedral yet noone suggests it should be demolished. This unique chapel was erected as a memorial to the sacrifice of five women. Moves to demolish it constitute a breach of trust. Records show clearly that those involved in both erecting the building and the celebrations of 1977 intended this chapel to stay where it is. Few people “use” the war memorial in the Wellington carillon but no-one would seriously suggest that it be pulled down for something more

utilitarian. People do use this chapel and would continue to recognise its significance.— Yours, etc., M. DI SOMMA. . X'/-. Ma * ,;<o&<tosp f tai 'shouldhavea.riewchapelTri. its. ' new block. However,’ the existing Nurses’ Memorial Chapel must stay intact. Commemorating city nurses who died off Greece in 1915, it is probably the sole memorial to New Zealand women killed in war. Aware of its significance, the Returned Services Association is throwing its weight behind moves to preserve the chapel. The Historic Places Trust considers the building so important that it is currently upgrading its classification to a B. Representatives of these and other groups met last week to consider Canterbury Hospital Board plans to “transplant” parts of the building’s interior in the new Stage 111 block. They concluded that problems related to the chapel’s present site could all be overcome, given the will to do so. This unique and beautiful building need - not be dismembered and destroyed. Far better to have two chapels in their appropriate settings.— Yours, etc., J. M. HAMILTON. May 14, 1989.