1878

In 1878, plans were announced to build St. John’s Hospital on Mason Street and the dedication was on June 22, 1879. The hospital consisted of 16 private rooms, four wards, a chapel, a dining room, a kitchen, and laundry. From 1878 to 1930, St. John’s Hospital was also the Motherhouse of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis where the Sisters entered religious life, were educated, and worked. While some Sisters were stationed at St. John’s Hospital, others were assigned to their hospitals in Illinois and Wisconsin and China. In 1930, the Motherhouse was located at 4849 LaVerna Road, Springfield.