The second foundation of the Sisters of Mercy in Western Pennsylvania was made in the Allegheny Mountains of Cambria County, in the village of Loretto , scene of the missionary labors of the Russian prince-priest, Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin.

Mother Frances Warde, the American foundress had passed through Loretto in 1843 on her way to establish her first American convent in Pittsburgh. Made aware of Father Gallitzin’s deep desire for Sisters to come to the mountains, she sent seven Sisters to establish a convent in Loretto in 1848, which was made independent of the Pittsburgh Motherhouse in Cresson. When many Mercy communities amalgamated in 1929, the Cresson Sisters joined the Scranton Province of the Sisters of Mercy of the Union. Renamed the Regional Community of Dallas when the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas were founded in 1991; Cresson is now part of the Mid-Atlantic Community.

The founding of The Mercy Hospital of Johnstown is typical of the unique and inspiring works of the Religious Sisters of Mercy. Since their founding by Catherine McAuley in 1831, the Sisters of Mercy attempted to determine the unmet needs of people – all people. When they recognized a need, they responded with the full support of their community. Mercy Hospital was founded in 1910 by the Sisters of Mercy of Cresson. Mother M. Xavier Phelan was instrumental in the selection of the Fritz homestead on Franklin Street as the site for the hospital. Sisters Mary Aloysia McClafferty (Administrator), Mary Evangelist Phelan (Director of Nursing), and Mary Austin Wills were the first religious to serve at the hospital which opened in 1911. Bed capacity was twelve, one private room, a woman’s ward of four beds, and seven beds in the men’s ward. Three Sisters of Mercy with a staff of three physicians undertook the awesome task of providing care to the poor and sick of Johnstown and the surrounding areas. The day after its official opening, January 30, 1911, the first patient was admitted. A safety pin was removed from the right nostril of the two year old girl. At the end of two months, the hospital had served 68 patients, 28 of these being free and 7 were part-pay.

The passing years brought a deep appreciation of the services rendered at Mercy Hospital. With the support of the community, the hospital expanded its size and capability to accommodate the increased demand for hospitalization. In 1911, 1913 and 1917 other units were under construction. In 1918, during the great “Flu Epidemic” these buildings were fully utilized. Sisters and nurses were detailed to stricken areas. Works of Mercy were performed in homes, school and hotels. Teaching Sisters of many communities volunteered their services in any capacity.

A School of Nursing was opened in 1911, with eight students enrolled. Of that first class, three nurses graduated in 1914. The final class graduated in 1973. During its 62 years of operation 1,231 professional nurses completed their training. The story of the School of Nursing is a whole other chapter in the history of the Mercy hospital of Johnstown.

An amazing era at The Mercy Hospital of Johnstown began in 1936 when Sister Mary Grace King began her first tenure as the fifth administrator. Associated with the hospital since 1917, Sister Mary Grace would remain at the helm until 1969. The Johnstown Flood of 1936 called forth the best that Mercy could offer. The hospitality of Mercy was extended to everyone. cots and extra beds were set up wherever there was free space. Food, clothing, medical care and medical supplies were given to the victims and their families. In June of 1942, approval was obtained for the training of Laboratory Technologists at the Hospital. By 1957, there had been 53 people who had graduated from the program. In 1945, under the special direction of Sister Mary Grace, the need for a newer, larger hospital was recognized and a major fund-raising campaign began. Because of continuous increases in construction costs and the federal legislation involved in approving new construction; the cornerstone of this new building was not placed until October 22, 1950. The site was formally opened to the public on August 24, 1952, with the first patient admitted on September 15, 1952.

In 1954, Mercy Hospital established the first unit for the treatment of alcoholism in the state of Pennsylvania. Shortly after the opening of the Critical Care Unit, in a renovated section of one of the old buildings, a Renal Dialysis service was started for patients, living in the area, who had to travel to Pittsburgh two or three times a week for this service. In 1980, a Home Health Care Agency was opened and continues to expand into other areas of service to the home-bound.

In 1985, the hospital obtained ownership of a 75 bed Skilled Nursing Care Facility, located across the street, which the hospital had managed for Cambria County as an extension of the County Home until completion of the new Laurel Crest Manor. The contract with the County began in 1975. In 1986, Aloysia Hall, a unit for children with psychiatric problems, was opened. It is the only such unit between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg for the treatment of disturbed children.

With the impact of economic and legislative changes, new ways of governance and financing were indicated. Thus, Mercy Hospital initially joined hands with Sister hospitals from Wilkes-Barre and Scranton to form a Mercy Health System. After much study, consultation, discussion planning, a further broadening of the scope of affiliation and support with Sister institutions brought us into the Mercy Health System, Cincinnati. In keeping with the nature of the services provided at Mercy, the Mercy Hospital of Johnstown officially changed its’ name to Mercy Medical Center.

The Sisters of Mercy relinquished sponsorship of The Mercy Hospital of Johnstown in 1993. It retains its Catholic identity as Good Samaritan Medical Center in the Conemaugh Health System of Johnstown.

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