LGMC Announces Chapel Expansion & Renovation Plans

Lafayette General Medical Center (LGMC) announces its plans to expand and renovate its chapel and pastoral care offices by 1,100 square feet. The chapel, located on the first floor of LGMC near the gift shop, is expected to be complete in Fall 2018.

For over 50 years, the chaplains of LGMC Pastoral Care have provided non-denominational spiritual and emotional support, encouragement, comfort, consolation and prayer to the entire care team, and their patients. While LGMC has advanced, the chapel where Pastoral Care operates has not changed in over 50 years. The hospital chapel is open at all times for quiet prayer and meditation for anyone. However, it can no longer serve in its current location for daily and Sunday services. The chapel only accommodates 16 individuals, and the need is to serve 40+ individuals.

The estimated cost of the project is $825,000. Lafayette General Foundation is the supporting, charitable arm of LGMC, and is leading the fundraising initiative for the chapel project alongside a steering committee made up of community leaders.

“The Chapel is a sacred place of worship, and respite for healing for our patients, families and caregivers and of all backgrounds and religious and spiritual denominations,” said Mrs. Madlyn Hilliard, Chair of the Chapel Campaign Committee. “It serves as a tranquil and sacred place where visitors can find solace during some of their most difficult times. We believe the expansion and renovation of the chapel will be a blessing to the patients, their families, friends and caregivers for years and years to come.”

Thanks to the generous donation of over $300,000 from the LGMC Auxiliary, LGMC is one step closer to its chapel expansion and renovation goal.

“We feel honored to be able to donate these funds for the benefit of the hospital chapel,” said Claudia Fontenot, president of the auxiliary.

“We are extremely grateful to the auxiliary for choosing to help fund the chapel. The hours they devote to the betterment of LGMC, are priceless,” said Patrick Gandy, CEO of LGMC. “We hope others will see the importance of renovating this truly special place for Hope, Healing and Recovery.”

To date, $472,000 has been raised, thanks to many donations that have already been given in honor of loved ones, tributes, grateful patients, hospital board members and others on the hospital staff who have served patients and their families with compassion and care over the years.

If you would like to donate to the LGMC Chapel Campaign you can contact the Foundation at (337) 289-8950, Foundation@lgh.org.

If you would like to volunteer at any Lafayette General Health location, contact Monica Guidry, Volunteer and Student Services Manager.