Name/Title
Oak Park HospitalEntry/Object ID
70.99.010Description
Oak Park Hospital located at 520 South Maple Avenue in Oak Park, Illinois. This image features the presentation and blessing of a St. Francis wood carving. Pictured are Brother Michael May (left) and Father Ray Zsolczai (right).
Opened in 1907, Oak Park Hospital was originally sponsored by the Sisters of Misericordia. In 1986, sponsorship was transferred to the Wheaton Franciscan Sisters, and in 1997, the hospital partnered with Rush Medical Center. By 2013, Rush had acquired the facility outright and renamed it Rush Oak Park Hospital.Context
Born in Germany in 1827, Mother Clara Pfaender founded the Franciscan Sisters, Daughters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, in 1860. With a focus on education, nursing and care for orphaned children, the women reached out to those in need. In the following years, Sisters were sent to nations such as France, the Netherlands and the United States. There, they gained increased autonomy when America became a province in 1884, and by the early 20th Century, their health and education ministries included locations in Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa and Colorado. Looking to relocate, in 1947 land was purchased in Wheaton, Illinois and a new motherhouse was completed in 1955. As time passed, the Sisters continued to develop their healthcare ministry and addressed pressing issues such as Polio, Aids and affordable housing. During the early 21st Century, they celebrated the 150th anniversary of the congregation and found new sponsorships for their healthcare and housing ministries. Today, the Wheaton Franciscan Sisters continue to follow in the spirit of Mother Clara Pfaender by responding to the needs of the Church and our times.Lexicon
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Notes
Please contact the WFS Archives (archives@wfsisters.org) for further information or materials requests.