OSF Little Company of Mary Medical Center in Evergreen Park has closed its north pavilion that includes a historic chapel, OSF HealthCare said Friday.
The hospital wrote in a social media statement it was aware of rumors circulating that the north pavilion was being torn down, but “OSF HeathCare is still evaluating and no decision has been made about its future use.”
“We understand the community’s interest and will share updates as soon as plans are finalized. In the meantime, we appreciate your patience and understanding,” the hospital said.
The news follows the closure of neighboring St. Bernadette’s Catholic Church last spring, after it was merged with other parishes to pare down churches with declining membership rolls. OSF HealthCare at the time planned to buy the property, but the hospital group did not confirm Monday whether the purchase ever went through.
A map of the hospital shows the north pavilion was home to Little Company of Mary’s outpatient facility, diabetes center, education conference rooms, endoscopy, physical therapy, wound center and human resources and employee education departments.
The chapel that was added to the hospital in 1960 is on the pavilion’s first floor and was a point of focus on social media as commenters worried about its future.
John Ligda said he and his four siblings were born at Little Company of Mary and he has fond memories of regularly attending afternoon Mass at the hospital chapel with his mother, who was a teacher.
“What always struck me was how beautiful it was,” Ligda said, recalling statues of women below the chapel’s altar and crucifix.
The Sisters of the Little Company of Mary were founded in 1877 by Mary Potter in Nottingham, England, where nuns prayed and cared for the sick and dying.
According to the OSF hospital, wealthy businessman Charles Mair in 1893 set up a convent for three of the nuns in gratitude for the care they offered his ailing wife while she vacationed in Italy. The convent was eventually sold, though seven of the original stained glass windows Mair provided for their chapel now adorn the hospital’s Heritage Corridor.
Ligda said he identified with the history of the women support group, as he found solace in the hospital’s chapel while his father was dying there in 2017.
“I can remember walking the hallways at that hospital in the wee hours of the morning, you know, when it was very quiet,” Ligda said. “Going down to the chapel and being able to pray — it was a source of comfort in a difficult time. I’ll never forget that.”
While Ligda no longer lives in Evergreen Park, he said he maintained connections to the hospital and its community. He said he grew concerned after a post circulated on social media saying the north pavilion where the chapel sits would be torn down and was grateful to see the hospital provide clarity.
“They cared enough to say something and to at least qualm our fears or put them at ease temporarily,” Ligda said.
He said his comment on the hospital’s Facebook post to make officials aware of the importance of the chapel to community members.
“The building itself, other things in that building, can be replaced or relocated,” Ligda said. “The chapel isn’t one of them.”
ostevens@chicagotribune.com