Chapelle de l’hôpital Édouard-Herriot

Gazing up at the Chapelle de l’hôpital Édouard-Herriot, it’s hard to imagine this serene space wasn’t part of Tony Garnier’s original hospital design. This architectural gem, nestled within the bustling hospital complex, has a story as unique as its design. The Chapelle de l’hôpital Édouard-Herriot came into being thanks to the Sisters of the Hôtel-Dieu and the Sisters of La Charité Hospital. When La Charité was demolished in 1934, these dedicated women were transferred to the new Édouard-Herriot Hospital. They needed a place of worship, a spiritual sanctuary within the hospital walls. And so, in 1924, the task of designing the chapel fell to Louis Thomas, a student of the renowned Tony Garnier. Thomas, who joined Garnier’s studio in 1924, masterfully crafted a space that is both modern and deeply spiritual. The Chapelle de l’hôpital Édouard-Herriot’s main entrance, located at the corner of Rue du Professeur Florence and Rue de Trarieux, is marked by a monumental portal. A striking depiction of the Deposition of the Cross, created by Lyonnais sculptor Georges Salendre, adorns the pediment. Stepping inside, one is immediately struck by the chapel’s centralized octagonal design, capped by a magnificent dome. A square ambulatory surrounds this central space, interrupted only by the choir, which aligns perfectly with the main entrance. This layout draws inspiration from Italian baptisteries, further emphasized by the chapel’s marble adornments and baptismal fonts. Light pours into the Chapelle de l’hôpital Édouard-Herriot primarily through the vibrant, non-figurative stained-glass windows of the dome. However, a zenithal lighting system in the ambulatory illuminates four captivating stained-glass panels crafted by Lyonnais artist Adrien Godien. These panels depict scenes of Jesus with Martha and Mary, the Good Samaritan, a Pietà, and the death of Saint Joseph. These images resonate deeply with the hospital’s mission of care and compassion, while also acknowledging the realities of suffering and mortality. Within the choir, a monumental Christ sculpted by Salendre, assisted by his student Chobel, commands attention. Chobel also created a Virgin Mary statue for the left altar, while the right altar features a statue of Saint Joseph, patron saint of a peaceful death, crafted by the sculptor Ballanche. The Chapelle de l’hôpital Édouard-Herriot’s unique blend of art, architecture, and spiritual significance led to its inscription on the Supplementary Inventory of Historical Monuments in 1967. It stands as a testament to the enduring power of faith and the human need for solace, even within the bustling confines of a modern hospital.