It's an old surgical suite from the first St. John's Mercy Hospital built here by the Sisters of Mercy at 620 W. Scott St. White rectangular ceramic tiles line the walls, and perfect small white octagonal tiles cover the floor. Many original plumbing fixtures remain.

It can't be one of the first surgical suites. The hospital's first section, built in 1906, was razed in 1970 because of inadequate load-bearing floors. But it could have been built in the 1922 hospital expansion.

A chapel with stained-glass windows, a partial marble floor, ornate columns and a place for priests to put on their vestments — all once part of the convent where the sisters lived — is in surprisingly sound condition. This is despite the decades it has been left almost untouched, a priceless look into our past.

Now, thanks to $9 million in state and federal historic renovation tax credits and low-income housing tax credits, the hospital will soon be restored to much of its original condition.

The building, used for low-income housing since it was purchased by The Kitchen Inc. and became The Franciscan Villa, is being renovated, redecorated and brought up to current safety standards. Finally opening the fourth floor will add 11 apartments, and some will have kitchenettes.

The 90,240-square-foot building, designed in the Jacobethan Revival style and built in four building campaigns from 1906 to 1944, is being redone in accordance with Department of Natural Resources historic standards, said development manager Denise Ogan of Carlson-Gardner Developers.

The original entrance, which hasn't been used in some time, will be restored to return the exterior to its original look. It still won't be used, though, because of new uses inside the building. The original slate tile roof will be replaced, and copper guttering and downspouts will be fixed and replaced.

The original terrazzo floors on the first floor will be repaired, as well as the original wooden doors, windows and other woodwork. The hardwood floors in the large gymnasium, used by the sisters and nursing students for exercise, will be refinished and reopened to the community.

"Some of the neighborhood kids who don't have their own goals and place to play still come knock on the doors and use the gym to play basketball," Ogan said. "It's still used for chili suppers and community dinners. We want to continue to promote neighborhood use of the facility."

Tobias Meeker, executive director of The Kitchen, said the organization gauged neighbors' reactions at a neighborhood meeting before applying for renovation grants. "They were very enthusiastic about it," he says.

We should all be excited. St. John's Mercy is the oldest hospital in Springfield, having been established in an eight-room house at Washington Avenue and Chestnut Street in 1891. It has been an integral part of countless southwest Missourians' lives for generations.

This is one historical treasure that not only didn't slip through our hands and on to the wrecking ball, but will add class and elegance to an older neighborhood and provide much-needed services at the same time.

Contact News-Leader columnist Sarah Overstreet at 836-1188.