Doctor Wants to Save Lourdes Chapel

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Story Published: Jul 2, 2008 at 7:43 PM PDT

By Molly Kelleher

PASCO - A doctor is taking on his own hospital. It all centers around Lourdes 80-year-old chapel. The hospital has plans to move it, but the doctor wants to save it.

"In the name of progress we're destroying our past, said Dr. Eli Kaczynski

Dr. Kaczynski has been a surgeon at Lourdes for thirty years. He says he's proud to be a part of this hospital, just not proud of this decision. He wants the chapel to stay where it is.

"Best case scenario is to preserve the original, if the sisters decide to move it, that's fine we'll have two places of worship," Kaczynski said.

"In an organization we always need space. That just doesn't make sense," Sister Esther Polacci.

Work has already started on the new chapel. The room will have a domed ceiling, stained glass, pews and an alter. It will be ready in two months.

Sister Esther has been the driving force behind this project. She says, Dr. Kaczynski s the only person who came forward in opposition.

"We are moving the chapel so we can serve our patients better. It's in the front where people can find it and be served," said Sister Esther.

"I have talked to the sisters and unfortunately not had a good response. So I'm asking people to make their voice heard. Asking people to save the chapel," said Dr. Kaczynski.

Sister Esther says they are going to preserve some of the chapel history by taking items to the new chapel. They're even going to try to frame the old stained glass window.

But the pews, which are as old as the chapel are being donated.

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