A Nurse in the Chapel

This church scene is made all the more complete with the addition of a nurse mannequin! It is after all, the Nurses' Memorial Chapel at Christchurch Hospital; and while I jest a little, it is actually a very beautiful little stone building with handsome timbered rafters. Turns out it is the only memorial built specifically to commemorate New Zealand women killed in the war. It is also believed to be the only purpose-built chapel commemorating nurses killed in the war, anywhere in the world. It was designed by Christchurch architect J.G.Collins and was built by William Williamson, who completed the task in 1927. One of its key features is the collection of stunning stained glass windows - eleven of them - including four important works by noted English glass artist, Veronica Whall (1887-1967). The central aisle carpet was designed by artist Nicola Jackson.

Jesus - In Unexpected Places

Christchurch Hospital. July 2008. Ajr

I don’t mean to offend anyone with deeply-held religious convictions but I did have a giggle yesterday when I was visiting a friend in Christchurch Hospital. There, blinking away in blue neon on the side window of the hospital hairdresser’s salon, was Jesus. Maybe it’s true – maybe he IS everywhere!