Participation by the following sixteen orders of Roman Catholic Sisters represents 100% of the communities that were involved in healthcare in Western Pennsylvania from 1847 to 1969. It also represents the work of thousands of Sisters caring for hundreds of thousands of patients in over thirty-four facilities. While the work of the Sisters continues today, our project focuses on its beginnings.
The Sisters responded to the need for caring for the sick at a time when there was no formalized healthcare. Many came to care for the immigrant populations who came to Western Pennsylvania in pursuit of a better life. Polish, Germans, Irish, African-Americans, Italians, Slovaks...Catholics and non-Catholics...the Sisters cared for EVERYONE. Through their work from those early times to the late 1960s and beyond, they advanced the delivery of healthcare in Western Pennsylvania.
Under the most adverse of circumstances, and with little money the Sisters were responsible for opening twenty-two hospitals and nursing homes at a time when few others responded to this need. These facilities included the following:
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Little Sisters of the Poor Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill Benedictine Sisters of Elk Country Sisters of the Holy Spirit Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm Sister of St. Francis of Millvale Felician Sisters Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth |
Sisters of St. Joseph of Baden Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania Sisters of Mercy (Dallas) Sisters of Mercy (Erie) Sister of Mercy (Pittsburgh) Vincentian Sisters of Charity Sisters of the Humility of Mary |
These congregations of Sisters have not only been woven into the fabric of our history, but also continue to be viable and vital organizations. You are welcome to explore and learn more about each of these congregations, their charisms, and current ministries by following the links on their individual pages.
Follow the individual links on this page to read about the histories of each of the orders of Sisters participating in our project.
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