Kapelle St. Joseph-Stift

Have you ever been inside a place where the past and present meet? Standing before the Kapelle St. Joseph-Stift, you’ll feel the weight of its history. Constructed in 1901, this chapel is the heart of the St. Joseph-Stift Hospital, a place of healing and hope. The chapel’s neo-Gothic architecture is a beautiful testament to the past. It housed a small chapel until 1900, when the need for a bigger one inspired the creation of this grander structure. But what makes the Kapelle St. Joseph-Stift unique is its connection to the Franciscan Order. The chapel’s altar, the pulpit, and even the tabernacle are designed like a Taukreuz, a symbol of the Franciscans. The Taukreuz reflects the deep connection to St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of the Mauritzer Franciscan Sisters who worked in the hospital for almost 150 years. Step into the chapel and you’ll see a painting of St. Francis, a reminder of the sisters’ legacy. But there’s another icon that holds a special place in the chapel’s history. On the back wall, you’ll find a painting of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, a gift from the papal legate at the beginning of the 20th century. Many people come here to light a candle before the icon, seeking solace, hope, or perhaps a moment of peace amidst the hospital’s bustling energy. Despite the chapel’s religious history, it welcomes everyone. It’s a place of stillness and reflection open to patients, visitors, and hospital staff alike. Catholic and Lutheran services are both held regularly. The Kapelle St. Joseph-Stift is not just a beautiful building, it’s a reminder of the compassionate spirit that has lived in these walls for over 140 years.