When she took over activity director duties at St. Andrew’s at New Florence in 2003, Lisa Popp dreamed of having a chapel to serve all of the residents.
At 1 p.m. on March 3, Popp’s …
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When she took over activity director duties at St. Andrew’s at New Florence in 2003, Lisa Popp dreamed of having a chapel to serve all of the residents.
At 1 p.m. on March 3, Popp’s dream came true.
The new Poppy Hill Chapel held its first service with seven residents in attendance. St. Andrew’s executive director Amy Hill and chaplain Jason Mirikitani also attended.
“I’m grateful and blessed to be a part of this,” Hill told the residents. “I hope you enjoy it very much. It’s all about you.”
Construction of the new chapel was finished in February. It used to be a therapy room.
“It took me 20 years to get a space,” Popp said. “Amy Hill is the boss now. Since we made the change, she let me take dibs on this room for my chapel.”
The small room includes a lighted cross on the brick wall.
“That was the vision I had. My maintenance man pulled it off,” Popp said. “I ordered the lights and he got it up for me. That (the brick wall) was an addition back in the day. I love that brick wall and I didn’t want it to disappear.”
Services are held at the chapel on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Members from Reach Community Church in Montgomery City are in charge of Friday’s services.
Mike Helbig was the church’s representative in the Friday services on March 10. He sang three songs and did some preaching during the 45-minute service.
“It’s nice,” Helbig said. “I know I was blown away when I came in here. They mentioned to me a few months back that they were going to do this. I didn’t hear that it was done until I came here.”
Helbig said the best thing about having a chapel at St. Andrew’s is it will strengthen the faiths of all of the residents.
“That’s really something that encourages my heart,” Helbig said. “The riches of their faith and experience encourage me because they have been around longer than I have. They have a lot more life experiences. I love talking to them and hearing stories. It blesses my heart so much.”
Helbig said Michelle Adams usually comes to the services every Friday to represent Reach Church.
“Michelle has a chaplain pastoral heart,” Helbig said. “She has that merciful gift of compassion. She has a massive heart. She’ll stick around and sit with the residents for a half an hour. She loves giving that one on one time, so it’s really amazing. I’m blown away with the love she has for this specific ministry. It’s pretty cool.”
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