The History of the Hospital Chapel

Before and after World War II

After World War II the original Catholic chapel was destroyed, which stood in the place of today’s surgery block (Building III). The nurses lived here in a one-storey building which incorporated their chapel, open for the patients, as well. It hosted daily masses. There was a permanent hospital priest looking after the spiritual needs of the believers. It all came to an end after the war.

1989

The change of the regime gave the opportunity to the hospital director of the day, Attila Rácz to build a place for religious service. He set up a foundation to raise donation for the construction of a future chapel.

1990

On the 22nd June, 1990 the foundation stone was laid on a ceremony which was attended by László Surján, minister of Social Affairs and Asztrik Várszegi, the Archabbot of Pannonhalma.

1991

The construction of the Hospital Chapel was impeded by Attila Rácz’s sudden and fatal illness which led to his death on the 30th of October 1990. On the 17th of February 1991 the new hospital director, Tibor Baranyai invited the representatives of the churches and the hospital and Rezső Hirschler, mayor of Sopron to form a new board.

On the 11th of March 1991 the renewed board decided to accept András Bárány’s plans for the new chapel. A large fund-raising campaign started to collect the necessary money in and outside the town and also abroad.

The campaign resulted in the speedy construction of the building and by the end of 1991 the chapel stood.

1992

Not even two years passed after the foundation stone ceremony, when, on the 14th of June 1992, the consecration of the chapel took place. The Ministry of the Social Affairs was represented by Bertalan Andréka, deputy secretary. The service was conducted by Lajos Pápai, the bishop of Győr Diocese, Imre Szebik, Lutheran bishop and Mihály Márkus, the bishop of the Reformed Church. The chapel is a joint space for religious service.

After 1992

The sanctuary’s colourful glass windows were constructed by using the works of the graphic artist András Simon

Those who suffer from their illness and their family members find refuge here and God will be leader of their lives.

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