Hospital celebrates 150 years with Mass celebrated by Bishop Paprocki
By ANDREW HANSEN, Editor and
     BRIAN C. BLASCO, Special to Catholic Times

It was 150 years ago, in the year 1875, that the Kulturkampf raged with violence in Prussia and the Hospital Sisters of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis (Muenster, Germany) had to fear that they would be banished just like other religious. Bishop Peter Baltes of Alton, Illinois, felt that the time had come to supply a pressing need of charitable sisters who would provide health care services in his diocese. He wrote to the Motherhouse in Muenster, Germany to request they consider sending sisters for this opportunity. In a letter from Mother General Bernhardine to Bishop Baltes, she explained that his appeal was granted because the acceptance of new members had become impossible due to the new religious laws. Following the letter to Bishop Baltes, Mother Bernhardine sent a letter requesting volunteers to serve in America, and 20 sisters were chosen, and they arrived in Alton on Nov. 6, 1875.

“As we celebrate our 150^th anniversary in 2025, we give thanks to God for many blessings of our religious community,” said Sister Maureen O’Connor, OSF, Superior of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis. “While our religious community observes our historic anniversary, so too will four of our hospitals that were founded in November 1875: HSHS St. John’s Hospital (Springfield), HSHS St. Francis Hospital (Litchfield), HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital (Effingham), and HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital (O’Fallon).”

On Nov. 11, 1875, five sisters arrived in Springfield — thus marking the founding of St. John’s Hospital — Springfield’s first hospital named in honor of St. John the Evangelist. The sisters stayed at the Ursuline Convent on North 5th Street and attended class with the students at Ss. Peter and Paul Grade School to learn English. On Dec. 7, 1875, the sisters moved to the Jacob Loose home on South Seventh Street. They slept on the floor with their mantles as their only covering, while old boxes served as a table and chairs.

In 1878, plans were announced to build St. John’s Hospital on Mason Street and the dedication was on June 22, 1879. Expansions continued in the early 1900s. In July 1938, the original building constructed in 1878 was razed in preparation for the new 12-story U-shaped structure, facing Mason Street, that opened on June 30, 1939. This was the largest privately owned institution of its kind in the United States.

The years that followed continued to bring the most modern medical equipment and treatment to the people who received care at St. John’s Hospital with building projects in 1973, 1988, 1997, 1998, and 2018. Today, HSHS St. John’s Hospital is a regional medical center offering state-of-the-art healthcare services to people in need. This ministry that began by the sisters continues through colleagues, physicians, and volunteers who are inspired by the core values of respect, care, competence, and joy and the Hospital Sisters’ Franciscan heritage.

“In this year-long celebration, let us be reminded that we are connected throughout history with those who have come before us,” stated Sister Jomary Trstensky, OSF, chair, Hospital Sisters Ministries. “Countless people have been motivated to serve others for the glory of God here as did the founding sisters in 1875. At the heart of St. John’s Hospital is a word that our Lord Jesus said in the 10th chapter of the Gospel of St. John: ‘I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another.’ Here at St. John’s Hospital where people are healed in body, mind, and spirit, the delivery of that service is motivated by love.”

On Jan. 14, Bishop Thomas John Paprocki joined St. John’s staff, the sisters, and several priests as the main celebrant of Mass in the chapel of St. John’s Hospital.

‘Today, we honor the pioneers who founded St. John’s Hospital 150 years ago,” Bishop Paprocki said in his homily. “In our Eucharist today, we thank the Lord for leading us to salvation and for those who carry on His healing mission in our world today.”

On the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois’ social media page, we asked people how St. John’s Hospital and the sisters have impacted them. Here are just a few of the responses:

“I owe everything that is positive in my life thanks to the sisters at St. John’s Hospital,” said John Earl. “They formed, educated, encouraged, and disciplined me. They were my family.”

“These sisters have played an integral part in our family’s lives, beginning with our mom, a St. John’s grad in 1939, and continuing with my sister, also a St. John’s grad and stalwart employee and supporter of HSHS,” said Janice Butler. “Not to mention all the babies, surgeries, and funeral home connection. We have been blessed!”

“My husband had polio when he was a teenager,” said Marty Megginson. “The sisters took care of him every day. And he’ll be 90 in February. Thank you, sisters!”

Thanks to Brian C. Blasco who helped write this article. He is the Director of Communications and Archivist and Assistant Coordinator of Community Life for the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis.