Our Heritage Origin On July 2, 1844, a Franciscan priest, Father Christopher Bernsmeyer, witnessed the religious commitment of five women in the pilgrim Shrine of the Sorrowful Mother at Telgte, Germany, a village outside the city of Muenster, Westphalia. This marked the foundation of the Hospital Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, an Order dedicated to the service of the sick and those in need. The Order grew rapidly and in the early years provided assistance to the sick in Westphalia and Silesia. The Sisters were quick to respond to health crises whenever they were called. American Mission Accepting the invitation of Bishop Peter Joseph Baltes of Alton in Illinois, twenty Sisters arrived in the United States on November 3, 1875. They established their Motherhouse in Springfield, Illinois and began their ministry by nursing the sick and poor in their homes. The German-speaking immigrants throughout Illinois and Wisconsin were among their first beneficiaries. In small rural communities, hospitals were built — generally within walking distance of a railroad station. Over the years, as the need for health care has expanded, so have the services provided by the thirteen hospitals of Hospital Sisters Health System. Creation of Hospital Sisters Health System A small central staff of specialists was developed by the Sisters in 1962 to provide consultation and support services for the hospitals. This development was further refined by the incorporation of Hospital Sisters Health System in 1978. ©2007 Hospital Sisters Health System. All rights reserved. P.O.Box 19456 • Springfield • Illinois • 62794-9456 • Directions • webcontact@hshs.org