Mrs. Eunice Rish Medhurst Residents, officials, and friends of the Presbyterian Community of Columbia gathered Thursday morning, March 26 to break ground for a new chapel on campus at 700 DaVega Drive, Lexington.

This retirement facility, now almost 23 years old, is seeing its chapel materialize after two decades of fundraising and planning. The structure will be built at the front entrance of the main building, and is expected to be in use by October.

Dennis S. Ward of F.W. Architects of Florence, S.C. is principal architect, and Arnold Construction Company is the builder. The chapel will be a 3,900 square foot building with stained glass windows, mahogany pews, chandeliers, and other items dedicated in honor of Presbyterians in the Midlands.

A special feature of the new building will be new office quarters for the chaplain, the Rev. Dr. Fran Bragan. This office will be named in memory of the late Dr. Lynn Temple and Judith Coit Jones, former residents.

Katherine Ligon, president of Presbyterian Communities of South Carolina, presided over the ceremonies. She singled out Mrs. Eunice Rish Medhurst for special recognition, as Mrs. Medhurst along with her late husband Merle made a significant donation years ago to start the chapel fund.

(L- r): The Rev. Dr. Fran Bragan, chaplain; Robert Rish; Eunice Rish Medhurst; Martha Wheeler; The Rev. Dr. Barry Jenkins; Cathy Corey; and Edward Burton, administrator break ground for a new chapel at the Presbyterian Community at 700 DaVega Drive in Lexington. Mrs. Martha Wheeler participated in the groundbreaking because of the years she and her late husband Jack took orders for holiday pecan packages and donated the proceeds to the chapel fund.

Others taking part in the dedication included The Rev. Dr. Barry Jenkins, Chairman, Board of Trustees; Mrs. Penny Arnold, Direction of Foundation Services and Church Relations; Edward Burton, Administrator of Columbia Community; Francis Herndon, President of Resident Council, Columbia Community; and the Rev. Dr. Fran Bragan, Chaplain.