A fine impression at St. Luke opening
A Perfect Day Saturday For Dedication Ceremonies. Large Crowd Flocking Through Building Were Pleased With All Features.
The opening ceremonies Saturday afternoon in front of the beautiful new St. Luke Hospital building and the "open house" that followed were a complete success. The universal approval voiced by the hundreds that took part left no doubt as to the public acceptance of this new community institution.
The broad expanse of ground, as yet unsodded, between the hospital and the parking area was filled with spectators as the two bands led the opening ceremonies The all-girl band form Sacred Heart College and Academy in Wichita with their striking white, red and gold uniforms, and the well-trained Marion High School band in red and blue added striking color to the occasion.
Rev. Dean Gleason of the Methodist church gave a thoughtfully worded and appropriate invocations, followed by an address of welcome by John Wheeler, chairman of the hospital association board.
"It's been a long and at times discouraging effort, but this most happy culmination is well worth every bit of it," Wheeler stated. Then he outlined a number of principles upon which the hospital would operate.
Mother M. Ventura accepted the hospital for the Sisters of the Most Previous Blood, and later in the program introduced the staff of nurses and department heads who will operate St. Luke.
Dr. R.R. Melton, representing the county medical association as its president, and who also has been on the board of directors since its beginning, voiced the same general approval of the hospital, the staff, and its fine facilities.
Rev. Mark K. Carroll, Bishop of the Wichita diocese, in his characteristic clear-cut, and emphatic way, highly praised the hospital as the finest and most modern in every way. He especially commented upon the efforts of the directors under the leadership of John Wheeler and all those who took part in raising the funds to build the hospital.
"But this hospital is also more than all that — more than the bricks and mortar and equipment and planning. It will be the greatest asset that has ever come to the community," he predicted.
"And in the Sisters who will administer to patients of all races and creeds, you have a group who have dedicated their lives and talents to this wonderful cause," he said.
Rev. R. Frank Mitchell of the Presbyterian church gave the benediction
Open House
With all the staff and others helping explain the various hospital features, the "open house" which followed the outdoor ceremonies was pleasing and astonishing to the large crowd. For an hour the halls were crowded with people, many of whom were visiting the building for the first time.
The cheery, pastel colors, the ultramodern facilities and equipment in all departments, the lighting, the floors, the kitchen and laundry, the beautiful little chapel, and the well-appointed offices and waiting room all received their share of the comment and praises.
Then less that thirty-six hours later, when everything had been gone over again, cleaned and made ready, the first patient, a new baby, was born in Saint Luke. Marion's new hospital was well started on its way to many years of splendid service.
(Copied from the October 23, 1952, microfilm file of the Marion Record-Review)
