About Avera McKennan Hospital Chapel · Sioux Falls, South Dakota
The Avera McKennan Hospital Chapel is a Catholic chapel located inside Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It serves patients, families, visitors, and staff of the hospital as a quiet place for prayer and meditation, and it is the site of regular Catholic Mass celebrated by Avera's chaplaincy team. The chapel was added to the hospital in 1931 off the main lobby, reflecting the Catholic, Presentation-Sisters-rooted heritage of the facility, and today it is supported by an ecumenical chaplaincy staff available around the clock.
- Established
- 1931
- Diocese
- Diocese of Sioux Falls
Why belong here
The Avera McKennan Hospital Chapel exists to bring the sacramental life of the Catholic Church to patients, families, and staff of a major regional hospital. Whether someone is admitted for a planned procedure, an emergency, a long stay, or visits a loved one, the chapel is open every day of the year as a quiet place to pray, and Catholic Mass is celebrated regularly. The chaplaincy team — priests, sisters, deacons, and trained lay ministers — is on call 24 hours a day to pray with patients, bring Holy Communion, hear confession, offer anointing of the sick, or simply be present in moments of fear, grief, or thanksgiving.
Mass times at Avera McKennan Hospital Chapel
Weekly Mass schedule
About the Avera McKennan Hospital Chapel
The chapel is a Catholic prayer space inside Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center at 1325 South Cliff Avenue, Sioux Falls. It serves patients, families, visitors, and staff and is supported by Avera's ecumenical chaplaincy team. It is part of the Catholic, Presentation-Sisters-rooted ministry of Avera Health.
History of the Chapel and Hospital
Avera McKennan Hospital dates to 1906, when Helen Gale McKennan bequeathed funds to found a hospital in Sioux Falls. At the invitation of Bishop Thomas O'Gorman, the Presentation Sisters of Aberdeen opened the hospital in 1911. The chapel itself was added off the main lobby in 1931 to provide a dedicated place for prayer and meditation.
- 1906 — Helen Gale McKennan's bequest funds a new hospital
- December 17, 1911 — McKennan Hospital dedicated, operated by Presentation Sisters
- 1919 — First major addition built during the influenza epidemic
- 1931 — Avera McKennan Chapel added off the main lobby
- 1957 — East wing with dedicated behavioral health unit
- 1970 — First lay administrator appointed
- 1975 — Expansion to over 100 private rooms
- 1978 — Joins the Presentation Health System
- 1988 — Specialized cardiac care program begins
- 1991 — First cancer institute opens
Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy
Avera's chaplaincy staff and mission teams are available 24 hours a day for spiritual, religious, and pastoral needs. The team is ecumenical — including priests, Sisters, deacons, ministers, and trained lay chaplains — and works in collaboration with a patient's home pastor or religious community on request.
- Listening with empathy
- Praying with and for patients and families
- Suggesting devotional materials
- Rejoicing with families experiencing the miracle of life
- Offering encouragement and emotional support
- Discussing end-of-life issues
- Mourning with those experiencing loss
- Facilitating communication between patients, caregivers, and family
Catholic Sacramental Care for Patients
Catholic patients can ask chaplaincy staff to arrange the delivery of religious rituals including Holy Communion, Confession, Anointing of the Sick, and blessings. Avera recommends that those having a planned surgical procedure arrange anointing with their home parish priest before admission, because chaplain priests' hours vary and they may not always be available.
- Anointing of the Sick (request through chaplaincy)
- Confession (request through chaplaincy)
- Holy Communion brought to the bedside
- Blessings delivered by chaplaincy staff
Chapel and Meditation Space
The chapel and meditation area at Avera McKennan Hospital is listed as open every day of the week, all day, providing 24-hour access for patients, families, and staff seeking a quiet place for prayer and reflection.
- Sunday — 12 AM – 12 AM
- Monday — 12 AM – 12 AM
- Tuesday — 12 AM – 12 AM
- Wednesday — 12 AM – 12 AM
- Thursday — 12 AM – 12 AM
- Friday — 12 AM – 12 AM
- Saturday — 12 AM – 12 AM
Avera's Catholic Identity and Mission
Avera is a Catholic health care organization sponsored by the Presentation Sisters and the Benedictine Sisters. Avera describes its work as a healing ministry, committed to promoting and defending human dignity, caring for the whole person, and giving special attention to the needs of the poor and marginalized. The hospital's mission is integrated through its chaplaincy, Mission Services department, and Ethics consultation work.
- Sponsored by the Presentation Sisters and the Benedictine Sisters
- Chaplaincy Advisory Committee at the facility level
- Ethics consultation and education
- Community Health Needs Assessment and charity care
- Mission orientation and ongoing formation for staff
Visiting the Hospital and Chapel
The chapel is located off the main lobby of Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center at 1325 South Cliff Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57105. The main hospital line is 605-322-8000; patients and visitors can ask any staff member for directions to the chapel or for help calling the chaplaincy office.
- Address: 1325 South Cliff Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57105
- Phone: 605-322-8000
- Spiritual Care page: avera.org/patients-visitors/spiritual-care/