Name/Title
St. Mary's HospitalEntry/Object ID
PC.0116Description
Postcard of St. Mary's Hospital at 16th Street and Grand Avenue in Racine, Wisconsin. This structure was completed in 1933. There is a handwritten message on the back from Sister Laura (Humilitas) Broekelmann to Sister Patricia in Wheaton, Illinois.
Opened in 1882 at 16th Street and Grand Avenue, St. Mary's Hospital was initially housed in a small frame building. In 1889, a new structure was completed and received numerous additions over the following years. From 1910 to 1927, the St. Mary's Hospital Training School for Nurses was open and eighty women graduated from the program. In 1977, the hospital moved to a new site at 3803 Spring Street and the old building was sold to S.C. Johnson and Son. By 2016, sponsorship had been transferred to Ascension Health.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
Search Terms
Religion, Religious Organizations, Historic Sites, Health, MedicalPostcard Details
Postmark
Date and Time of Postmark
Aug 7, 1956Reproductions
Notes
Please contact the WFS Archives (archives@wfsisters.org) for further information or materials requests.