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Most people are surprised to learn that it is only in comparatively
recent years that this Hospital has had a Chapel and Chaplains.
The Hospital is named after John Addenbrooke who was a Fellow
and Bursar at St Catherine's College. When he died in 1719 he
bequeathed a sum of money with which to build a Hospital for the
sick poor-people of Cambridge. However, as a Freethinker, his
views led him to stipulate that "there must be no Chapel
and no Chaplain." So it remained until the advent of the
National Health Service in 1948.
The Act of Parliament, by which the NHS came into existence,
advised Hospital Authorities to provide for the spiritual needs
of both patients and staff, and to set apart a room for use as
a Chapel. The Addenbrooke's Board of Governors took this advice,
and so made possible the kind of Chaplaincy care that we now take
for granted.
The Chapel
The Chapel is deliberately situated in the Main Concourse area,
where it is both visible and easily accessible. Open day and night,
it is for many people a place of prayer and a quiet retreat from
the bustle and demands of life beyond its walls.
The Chapel Window
Originally the Chapel had no window. The stained glass - an immediate
focus of attention - was a retirement gift from Edward Bustard,
(Architect to the Health Authority), and his wife Sonia. Together
they designed the window, having in mind that the Chapel is dedicated
"Chapel of the Holy Spirit", and also to symbolise the
work of caring and healing that takes place through the many departments
and specialities that make up the Hospital community.
The "tongues like flames of fire"
are Scriptural portrayals of the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus
spoke of as "the Comforter". The background blue,
darkest in the lower part of the window, shades into a pastel
hue towards the top. The designers wanted to convey something
of their observation that the "darkness" that
often descends upon a person in times of illness is lifted
and dispelled as health is gradually restored. |
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The leads that hold the glass are deliberately
upswept in a representation of loving carefulness. The window
is completed with a star of hope, and a dove of peace. People
who hold the Christian faith may see the whole brought into
a unity by the outstretched arms of the outlined Cross,
the simple design of which allows the insert of a Crucifix
at appropriate times. |
2006 Update
The chapel was refurbished in the summer of 2006. This has allowed
for the chapel itself to be upgraded and made more accessible
to everyone. The provision of a tranquil environment amidst the
hustle and bustle of the hospital was seen as important. The chapel
is used by a wide variety of people at all times of the day and
night. Its central location, just off the main concourse, is an
important reminder of the place of God as the spiritual in a caring
institution like Addenbrooke’s.
New counselling rooms are provided and facilities for the chaplaincy
department are now accessed directly from the main corridor.
This work was made possible by the generosity of the WRVS and
the Fund and Friends of Addenbrooke’s, who provided all
the recourses. We are deeply indebted to them.
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