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« 150-Anniversary

Historic Timeline

150 years have passed since the three Hospital Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis arrived in St. Clare County from Germany.

HSHS St. Elizabeth's Hospital in 1893 HSHS St. Elizabeth's Hospital in 1893
one-story two-room house

1875 | Three Sisters Arrive

At the request of Bishop Peter Baltes, Diocese of Alton, Illinois, 20 Hospital Sisters of St. Francis left Muenster, Germany, and arrived in Alton on November 6, 1875 to bring health care services throughout the Diocese.

Sisters Jovita Janning, Gerburgis Wiling, and Sylvana Bosse arrived in Belleville, IL on November 13, 1875, and founded St. Elizabeth’s Hospital. The Sisters lived and worked in a one-story two-room house, a former schoolhouse of St. Peter’s parish, located between 2nd and 3rd Streets on West Garfield Avenue. 

Rendering of HSHS St. Elizabeth's Hospital in 1881

1881 | Hospital Building Dedicated

On May 22, 1881, a three-story brick building was dedicated. It included 22 rooms for 58 patients and included a drug store and operating room.

HSHS St. Elizabeth's Hospital in 1893

1893 | Two Additions

In 1893, two three-story wings were erected to the east and west of the building that added 80 additional beds for patients.

HSHS St. Elizabeth's Hospital in 1927

1927 | New Accommodations for 40 Rooms

In 1927 another section was built to accommodate rooms for 40 patients, a lobby, a main office, a Doctors’ room, and specialty departments.

HSHS St. Elizabeth's Hospital in 1956

1956 | New $11 Million Facility

On June 15, 1956, the new $11 million St. Elizabeth’s Hospital and Home for the Aged opened. The hospital provided 300 beds within its eight stories, with its annex of 215 beds in the home for the aged. 

HSHS St. Elizabeth's Hospital in 1975

1975 | 500 Bed Capacity

In 1975, a $20 million building program was completed with an overall 500-bed capacity.

HSHS St. Elizabeth's Hospital in 2017

2017 | A New $300 Million Facility

After 142 years in Belleville, a $300 million HSHS Elizabeth’s Hospital and Health Care Center was dedicated on November 4, 2017, in O’Fallon, IL. The hospital has 144 beds and many outpatient services.