Answer Man: Now that Calvary Chapel is building its new facility on North National Avenue, what is to become of their existing historical building at Seminole and Lone Pine? — Dave Riddle, of Springfield
One question, yet it involves so many aspects of Springfield history.
First, to the answer. Pastor Tom Humphrey tells me that his church's building — the historic structure at 2440 E. Seminole St. (at Lone Pine) — likely will be sold to a Romanian church that has expressed an interest.
It's “historical” because this same building once served as the chapel at O'Reilly General Hospital during World War II. (We'll loop back to that.)
I ask Humphrey: Is there any chance the building would be moved once again? As it was to its current location in 1955?
“No. It will not move. I don't know if it could survive another move,” he said.
Calvary Chapel bought the building in 1998, and the following year, Humphrey became pastor.
The chapel has about 300 members and has had to add a third Sunday worship service: 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. — with a 7 p.m. Wednesday service.
The building takes much effort to maintain, he says, but the major problem these days is not enough parking.
Humphrey tells me that he will find out in January if his congregation will receive a grant that will help with phase II construction of his new church.
If it does, construction could start in February and, if all goes well, would be complete 10 months later.
Now for the World War II history
The United States entered World War II and the Army wanted to build a hospital for servicemen returning home injured, maimed and burned.
The city of Springfield donated its 160-acre municipal golf course for the site. (Yes, where Evangel University is today, the city once had a golf course.)
It was called the O'Reilly General Hospital.
In May 1941, Colonel George B. Foster Jr. declared his intention to make O'Reilly the “hospital with a soul.”
The nearby Pythian Castle, one of the most interesting buildings in Springfield, was built in 1913 by the Knights of Pythian. It became the Enlisted Men's Service Club.
The hospital was built and O'Reilly staff served over 100,000 patients during the hospital's five years of operation. Forty-two thousand were battle-scarred and often badly burned soldiers. The hospital found innovative ways to treat burns.
War ends and hospital became veterans' home
In addition, 60,000 military dependents were cared for and a few P.O.W.s were also treated.
Some of those who worked there and were treated there attended the white clapboard chapel.
The war ended. The hospital became a veterans' hospital.
In August 1952, The Veteran's Administration closed O'Reilly, beginning years of idleness and political wrangling for the property and buildings.
In December 1954, the property was acquired by the General Council of the Assemblies of God, paving the way for the creation of Evangel College
In 1955, Evangel was incorporated and the land was given to the college.
For decades, the college used some of the same buildings.
But in 1955 the chapel was moved to its present location.
At first, Humphrey said, it was a Southern Baptist Church.
Not the final building from hospital days
Erin Hedlun, spokesperson for Evangel, says, no, the chapel is not the last structure from the O'Reilly Hospital days.
“There are two structures still existing that we know of, from WWII, from O'Reilly General Hospital.
“On campus is a block building that served as the boiler house for the hospital.
“On Glenstone, the old Aunt Martha's Pancake House is still there. When Aunt Martha had it, it was quickly identifiable as one of our buildings. It has been renovated by the current interior design company.”
(Aunt Martha's was at 1700 E. Cherokee St. and it closed in 2015.)
“At one point, there were several of the barracks at Willard — I think the high school —used for classrooms, and later for storage. I don't know if any are still there.”
This is Answer Man Column No. 31.
