| "A home away from home" is what the
Walton Guest House provides those out of the Salem-Keizer area
who are patients, relatives or primary care givers of patients
of the medical staff of the Salem Hospital. Originally the house,
bequeathed by William S. Walton to St. Paul’s Episcopal
Church in 1958, was used as a rectory. After three decades and
three rectors residing at the home, a new rector preferred other
housing. With the vacated house, an ad hoc committee explored
varied options, including a lodging facility modeled on the
Ronald McDonald concept. In 1991, with the cooperation of St.
Paul’s and Salem Hospital, the house opened as Walton Guest
House.
The four private bedrooms are unique having been named Faith,
Hope, Peace and Love. The house, with two bathrooms and a
kitchen, dining room and living room for common use, is located
in a quiet residential neighborhood adjacent to Bush Park
and a 10 minute walk to the hospital. The Social Services
Department at Salem Hospital makes the guest assignments.
A nightly donation is suggested, but no one is denied because
of inability to pay. The house is operated entirely by a non-salaried
resident manager and a corps of volunteers representing the
parish and the community at large. Walton Guest House is the
only hospitality house to be established in the capital city
to date.
Compiled and written by Shirley Herrmann
Bibliography:
Information provided by the Social Services Department
at the Salem Hospital, 2001
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