The Caboolture Hospital Chapel started from a project led by Mr Martin Jonkers, a Caboolture man and member of the local Rotary Club.

Mr Jonkers’ aim was that the Chapel be built to ensure that there would be a quiet place where patients and their families and the hospital staff could go to find comfort in peaceful meditation.

Chaplains would be available to listen to them and assist them in any way they could.

In discussion with the Caboolture Hospital executive, it was decided the Chapel would be built with the help of another service club and public subscription.

The official project launch was held at a grand ball in the Morayfield Community Hall on Friday 11 November 1996, where the plans for the chapel were unveiled.

Tickets cost $45 a head, which was the start of many drives to raise enough money for the estimated $60,000 needed for the project.

At the time, Mr Jonkers said: “It had not come easy as there were times when it seemed that they would never get the money needed for the project but there was a tremendous amount of community interest and with hard work by Rotary Members and government support this wonderful addition to our hospital complex was started.”

Once construction began, the Chapel grew quite quickly and it was completed in 1997.

The furniture, floor coverings and curtains were supplied by the Caboolture Hospital Auxiliary.

The Chapel was handed over at an opening service and blessing attended by local politicians, church leaders, Chaplains, hospital staff and, of course, Mr and Mrs Martin Jonkers.

That Christmas, a choir led the singing of carols for staff and patients.

Chaplains have continued to have a carols service every year since, even Covid-19 couldn’t stop the important celebration!

The Chapel Garden began soon after the official opening and eventually a special Memorial Garden was planted, to scatter the ashes of babies lost through early miscarriage with monthly services led by the Chaplains.

A service at the bedside for these babies was offered by the Chaplains on request and this service is still available on request.

In later years, the covered courtyard area was completed with the help of funds raised by the Caboolture Hospital Auxiliary.

This area is used by staff as a quiet place to have lunch or for meditation, as well as for afternoon teas for any special services held
in the Chapel.

This is a multi-faith Chapel, open to all people of faith who may use it for prayer or contemplation.

The stained-glass windows represent the Children’s Ward, Maternity Ward, Nurses and Chaplains.

Chaplains are taught to be non-judgemental listeners willing to walk beside the patients, their families and staff members who need them.

This Chapel is a wonderful part of our hospital, where people can have joy and celebrate new life, or it can be a place of prayer and contemplation.

It is a haven for us to grieve in and this is all possible because of the vision of Martin Jonkers and his team 25 years ago.

Today (26 October), the Chapel will host a special service for Pastoral Care Week. The theme is Chaplaincy and Mental Health.

Psychiatrist and Caboolture Hospital Head of Mental Health Research Critical Care Research Group Associate Professor Dylan Flaws (right) will speak at the event.

This service will start at 10am. Everyone is welcome.

Have you got a story to share? Email ckw-engage@health.qld.gov.au.