A Chapel for a Tuberculosis Sanatorium
The Vories Memorial Hospital Chapel (ヴォーリズ記念病院礼拝堂) is a single-storey timber chapel at Kitanosho-cho, Omihachiman City, Shiga Prefecture, dedicated in 1937 for the patients and staff of the Omi Sanatorium for tuberculosis, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on August 7, 2009 (Agency for Cultural Affairs, Vories Memorial Hospital).
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records single-storey timber with a tiled roof and a building area of 97 square metres, with stone steps and a connecting corridor; registration number 25-0276, owned by the Omi Brotherhood foundation.
The Omi Sanatorium and Its Chapel
According to Vories Memorial Hospital, its predecessor, the Omi Sanatorium, opened on May 25, 1918, as a tuberculosis sanatorium, founded by W. M. Vories with a large gift from his friend Mary Tucker in memory of her mother, who had died of the disease. Vories called the patients "sick guests" and welcomed them as neighbours.
In 1937 the long-hoped-for Vories Memorial Hospital Chapel was dedicated so that patients and staff could worship together. When the new hospital was built, that spirit was carried on in a chapel inside the building (Vories Memorial Hospital).
Value as a Registered Cultural Property
The Vories Memorial Hospital Chapel was registered as a structure contributing to the historic landscape of the country. The Agency for Cultural Affairs notes how its white mortar walls with round-arched openings stand out among the trees.
What to Look For
The Agency for Cultural Affairs notes that it stands on rising ground at the north-west of the site facing south, with a gable-end entrance, pan-tiled roof, stone steps in front and a corridor to the west. North of the entrance hall is a single-nave chapel with exposed roof trusses, with the pastor's room to the east and a waiting room and toilets to the west.
Round-arched openings in white walls give the Vories Memorial Hospital Chapel its character among the trees (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
According to Vories Memorial Hospital, a Sunday service is held in the Vories Memorial Hospital Chapel (the old chapel) every week from 8:30 to 9:00, open to patients, families and staff and to local people who wish to join. Services are occasionally cancelled, so check with the hospital beforehand.
The address is 480-1 Kitanosho-cho, Omihachiman City. As it is part of a hospital, be considerate of patients. See the group page Vories Memorial Hospital (Former Omi Sanatorium) for the chapel and the former main building (Tucker House).
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Q&A
- When was the chapel built?
- It was dedicated in 1937 (Agency for Cultural Affairs, Vories Memorial Hospital).
- Who was it for?
- The patients and staff of the Omi Sanatorium for tuberculosis (Vories Memorial Hospital).
- What does it look like?
- A gabled, tiled building with white mortar walls and round-arched openings (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Can visitors attend a service?
- The Sunday service from 8:30 is open to local people, but it is best to check in advance (Vories Memorial Hospital).
- When was the Vories Memorial Hospital Chapel registered?
- On August 7, 2009.
Basic Information
| Name | Vories Memorial Hospital Chapel (ヴォーリズ記念病院礼拝堂) |
|---|---|
| Location | 480-1 Kitanosho-cho, Omihachiman City, Shiga Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2009/08/07 (Heisei 21) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Timber, single storey, tiled roof, building area 97 square metres, with stone steps and corridor |
| Owner | Omi Brotherhood foundation |
| Public Access | Sunday service open to the community; check in advance |
References
- Vories Memorial Hospital Chapel (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00007751
- Former Main Building of Vories Memorial Hospital (Tucker House) (Database of National Cultural Properties)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00010179
- Chapel (Vories Memorial Hospital)
- https://www.vories.or.jp/about/chapel
- History of Vories and the Hospital (Vories Memorial Hospital)
- https://www.vories.or.jp/about/history
- Vories Buildings (Omihachiman Official Tourism Site)
- https://www.omi8.com/stories/vories/buildings
Last verified: 2026.10.11
