Those who need help and those who need healing will find common ground in a room on the second floor of the new west tower of the Wyoming Medical Center.

"We pray that this sacred place might be a sanctuary for them, a home away from home," the Rev. Cynthia McBride prayed during the dedication of the chapel on Thursday.

"In the midst of the darkest night when a patient lies struggling for breath and a loved one needs a place to breathe," McBride said. "May they come here and find you, O giver of life whose light shines in the darkest night."

McBride was joined by several dozen clergy, hospital staff, doctors and community members to dedicate the new chapel, which was designed and built as an integral part of the new $47.3 million, 100,000-square-foot McMurry West Tower, which opened in September.

Some of those clergy from the community will serve as volunteer chaplains.

The hospital's full-time chaplain the Rev. Keith Evans said then the new space doubles or triples the size of the former chapel. It probably accommodate as many as 50 people, which opens the possibilities for more service, and services, he said.

The chapel has a couple of adjacent offices that can be used for private counseling sessions either with himself or local clergy working with families, Evans said. The space could be used for music recitals and other family activities, too, he said.

The chapel complements the new landscaped healing garden with walkways and benches and immediately south of the West Tower, Evans added.

Besides himself, the hospital hired two part-time chaplains, the Rev. Leigh Earle and the Rev. Zac Buhuro, who participated in the dedication.

"May this place be the holy and healing ground," Buhuro said.

"May this hospital and chapel be a place where your people find peace, healing and comfort, and may we the staff and volunteers be guided by you in caring for our patients and our families," he said. "And in your name we pray, amen."

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