St. Joseph Infirmary had its origins in Louisville, Kentucky as St. Vincent Infirmary, where it occupied two large spaces in the newly-purchased former tavern on Wenzel and Jefferson Streets. Mother Catherine Spalding procured this building in 1836 as a home to shelter orphans, who lost their parents during the Louisville cholera epidemic. She realized that the large unused spaces in the orphanage could be utilized as a hospital. Mother Catherine had always dreamed of caring for the sick poor, continuing in the tradition of St. Vincent De Paul. As early records verify, the hospital was well organized, the sick were cared for by the Sisters and doctors.
Gradually, St. Vincent Infirmary became inadequate to house those who applied for admission. In 1853, Mother Catherine rented and later purchased St. Aloysius on Fourth Street, formerly used as a college by the Jesuits. In that same year, patients were transferred to this hospital renamed St. Joseph Infirmary. During the Civil War, officers and soldiers, whether in blue or gray, received the same welcome and care at St. Joseph Infirmary.
The hospital gave assistance during the First World War at Camp Taylor, Louisville. Sister nurses left their hospitals and cared for wounded soldiers returning to the United States. Many were also ill from Spanish Influenza, contracted in Europe and highly contagious. In 1918, the hospital became a member of the Catholic Hospital Association of the United States and Canada.
St. Joseph School of Nursing began on March 31, 1919. The first students were eight Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. Elizabeth Sheridan, RN, a graduate of Mercy Hospital, Chicago, Illinois was the instructor and members of the hospital staff gave lectures. Throughout its existence, this school of nursing educated many young women from the state of Kentucky and beyond. In 1935, the school of nursing affiliated with Nazareth College in Louisville, presently known as Spalding University, and continues today to provide an excellent nursing program.
After 73 years at the Fourth Street location, St. Joseph Infirmary needed space for expansion. During the administration of Mother Rose Meagher, a nineteen-acre plot was purchased on Eastern Parkway and Preston St. A ground-breaking ceremony was held on October 24, 1923. Expectations on the part of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth were that construction of the building would begin immediately. Bishop John A. Floersh, however, halted the work until he could study more thoroughly the finances and ecclesial matters pertaining to the potential hospital. In 1926, five years after the purchase of the property, the hospital became a reality. In 1936, St. Joseph Infirmary cared for 5730 patients.
A disastrous flood of unbelievable proportions struck the State of Kentucky in January 1937. Louisville was particularly hard hit by the devastating waters. St. Joseph Infirmary admitted 102 flood victims, and inoculated many against disease, including the hospital’s neighbors. The shortage of doctors, nurses, and hospital workers created an emergency alleviated by many SCNs staying in the city to help. Nazareth sent 12 workers to cook, do laundry, and mop floors.
St. Joseph Infirmary had a prestigious group of doctors on staff in the 1940s. Dr. Irvin Abell was president of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Guy Aud was President of the Kentucky State Medical Association and Regional Director of the American Cancer Society. For some years, St. Joseph conducted a yearly Cancer Symposium and in 1948 opened a new building as a Cancer Clinic. In May 1954, thirty-four Student Nurses received their diplomas from the hospital. St. Joseph Infirmary reported at the end of 1956 that 20,090 patients had been admitted to the hospital. Major surgeries numbered 5466 and minor surgeries numbered 5222.
By 1966, nursing education at St. Joseph Infirmary included R.N. and L.P.N. programs, as well as training programs for aides, orderlies, and refresher courses. Seventy percent of St. Joseph nurses, in their annual exams for 1966, scored 500 or above. Ninety-five percent of the scores were 400 or above. Nursing education at St. Joseph had achieved a record for excellence.
Due to decreasing numbers of SCN nurses, lab technicians, administrators, etc., the SCN Community realized that it could no longer continue to operate St. Joseph Infirmary. Mother Lucille Russell wrote to the congregation, May 22, I 970: “We believe that the time has come for us to turn over the management and ownership of St. Joseph to a group which has approached us for this purpose. Extendicare, INC., is a group highly motivated and very competent. It has the financial backing to do what we, as Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, are not in a position to do. We lack both sufficient Sister staff and funds to sponsor a very expensive renovation program advised by the Board of Directors in their long range planning, including relocation on a different site at the cost of about thirty million dollars. We are certain that you would never want us to obligate the Community by incurring such indebtedness as this. Extendicare, INC., which has its headquarters in Louisville, has taken over about sixteen hospitals in the past few years and it has the staff and finances to do a good job.“
I was born January 20, 1970 at 6:35 pm here! I am so thankful and blessed that my grandparents and parents welcomed me into the world at “St. Joe’s”. What a wonderful story – thank you for sharing this history. Praying for blessings, love and light to all.
I was born at St Joseph’s on April 30, 1951. Years later, I had wonderful experiences as a Candy Striper. It felt good to give back to the hospital that brought me into the world.
My experiences there were very influential in my chosen field as a special education teacher for 33 years. Wonderful memories!!!
I had my appendix removed by Dr. Schoo when I was 8 in 1967.
My son was born there in May 1978 and my daughter in November 1979. She may have been one of the last babies delivered there – the wing was nearly empty!
My son was born there in October 1966. It was our first child. The staff could not have been any better to us for we didn’t know what to expect. Does any remember a doctor named “James Childeur” at least that is what the spelling looks like on the birth certificate.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful historical information about St. Joseph’s Infirmary. I was one of the last babies born there (February 1979) before it was shut down later that same year as my mother recalls. I have always wondered what it would have looked like (also a huge historical geek especially with hospitals, churches, spiritually significant places, etc.) & have always had a special feeling driving by its former location.
My daughter was born there in November 1979 and I remember being told that everything had already been moved and the hospital was closing. It was pretty empty!
I enjoyed reading this, thank you for posting. I graduated from St. Joseph’s in1969, one of the last graduating classes. It was an excellent education and prepared me well for an interesting, satisfying career. I am forever grateful for the staff that shepherd-ed all of my classmates and I.
My mom was a 1969 graduate of SJI. Her name was Doris Burger. I also worked in the OR with Martha (Marty) Head Spence and Nancy Warren Bosler. SJI educated great nurses!
I can’t believe I have found this post. Marty and Nancy were my neighbors on Taylor Blvd. in Louisville, KY, when we were students (I was a student at U of L.). I wondered what happened to them. Small world isn’t it?
Enjoyed reading this. My mother, Wilma C. (Giesler) Lewis was a 1952 graduate of the Nazareth School of Nursing. She met my father, Dr. David B. Lewis, a graduate of the University of Louisville School of Medicine, when he was interning at the St. Joseph’s Infirmary. This is sort of an origin story for my brothers and I.
St. Joe’s was a wonderful hospital. Most of my siblings were born there, delivered by our family’s beloved GP, Dr. Vince Zeigler. Three of our lives were saved in this hospital. My grandmother graduated from the nursing school in 1930 and died there in 1974. I worked as a candystriper at St. Joe’s in the mid 60’s, then began nursing school at Spalding College in 1970. My mother-in-law was a night supervisor at St. Joe’s. Her family lived on Bradley Avenue, so she conveniently walked to and from work. So much of our family history is inextricably tied to the old hospital as well as the to the services of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. What an amazing group of women they were and continue to be in this world. We are forever grateful to them.
In 1968, when I was 8 years old, I and my entire family were in a tragic car accident. I was the only one who survived and I know it was due to the care and dedication of the wonderful medical staff. I was in a coma for nearly a month and was not expected to survive, but they didn’t give up and I owe my existence to the devotion of those who cared for me. Thank you to all.
Hi, I was born at St Joseph’s in August of 1952. Did someone say that there were photos of babies back then? My mother became a widow in August of 1951 after being married for 14 yrs and losing her husband to cancer. My mom met a man in Ft. Worth and unbeknownst to her after about 4 months from their date she found out she was pregnant with me. She was 35 and lived on Oklahoma and decided to move to Louisville to have the baby. As it was the 50’s and she was single, she told the Dr she was going to put me up for adoption and she didn’t want to see the baby. A nurse brought me in and she said “look what God” gave me. She felt that the Dr told the nurse to bring me in. I only lived in Louisville for 3 months, then moved to Michigan, but it’s definitely on my bucket list to come back
Are any death certificates available from August 1907?
My Great Grand Uncle died in St.Joseph Infirmary.
His name wasElijah D. “Bud” Walker .
He was born July 4, 1847 in Lawrence County, Indiana and died
August 24, 1907 .
He was admitted to have stones removed from his bladder.
Thank you
I was born in 1957. I was a Miracle baby I was three months premature. The sisters had me 5months of my life My dad promised when I got a little bit over. He would take me to see the sisters. And he kept his promise. I will be ever so grateful for their care enterprise. My oldest daughter was born there. In 1979. I really love that hospital they were awesome people with lots of love and care.
My Mother, Kathleen Clark Quill was in the class of 1936. Her cape is on display at Nazareth. She came from a small town in Florida. She had never seen a Nun. She “borrowed” a Nun’s outfit from clothesline and had her picture taken in it. She sent it home. They were not amused. Mom became Catholic. She returned to Florida to work as a Public Health Nurse. On a return trip to Louisville, she met our Father Benji Quill. They raised six of us in Louisville. Mom was an E R Nurse at Saints Mary and Elizabeth Hospital for many years.
P.S. I was born at St Joe’s!
What year did St Joseph Infirmary close and what year did Audubon open?
I worked in the St Joe ER from 1969 to 1978 and a few weeks over at Audubon helping them get set up. In 1978 Audubon opened and patients were transferred over from St Joe. So they were both open for just a couple of weeks.
A couple years ago, pre-pandemic, I was at a thrift shop. I graduated from Spalding SON in 2002 and love vintage stuff so when I noticed a blue and red coat from the other end of the store I immediately recognized it as a nurses cape! I had no idea what the letters on the collar were for but it was pristine! I walked out of that thrift shop $4 well spent, took it home and looked it over, tried it on and proudly added it to my vintage medical collection. That has been several years ago.
I now work at Audubon and made my way down to lower level 1 the other day. The collection of vintage/historical items caught my eye and since I had a few minutes I stood there and looked it over. All of the sudden I noticed another nurses cape! I excitedly looked it over as best I could, noting the lettering on the collar. I couldn’t remember what letters were on my thrift store find. I took a quick picture so I wouldn’t forget and made my way back to work. I was almost certain that I had the same cape at home.
Yesterday I remembered my cape mystery and went downstairs to check my cape.
It had the same lettering on the collar! So that mystery was solved and now I know I have a St Joseph Infirmary Nurses Cape, which fed into Spalding University (where I got my undergrad BSN), AND I now work for Norton Audubon, which used to be St. Joe Hospital.
No wonder everyone loves Audubon so much. I have heard countless stories about St Joe’s my ENTIRE career. And oh my goodness do we need a St Joe’s right now.
My next mystery of the cape is to figure out who the nurse was that earned my cape. Her name is neatly embroidered inside on the left next to a tiny red pocket. Her name was Louise Walker.
If anyone knows where I can search the SJI records or knows where I can find info, please let me know!!
Thanks for your story. I am a St Joes’s graduate, RN, 1962. I go to our reunions every 5 years, although they happen every year. Since I have always lived far away, it becomes a trip for me and several classmates.
Our numbers are dwindling, so I hope all try to make it for 2022. ( I have my cape…somewhere. They were expensive so we bought used ones from earlier classes.)
My mother graduated from St. Anthony’s School of Nursing in Louisville, in 1941. She went on to join Army Nursing Corps with Patton in North Africa and Sicily. Question: Were these four or two year degrees? I think the students had to stay in dorms and were supervised heavily, Yes?
I attended St.Joe’s nursing school when the hospital was sold in 1970. We (all the students ) where thrown for a loop. Humana (the group who bought the hospital ) was going to close the school right then. It took A Lot of protest, envoling the news media, collecting signatures, passing out flyers ect. To keep it open, sad to say they agreed to only keep it open untill 1971. The class due to graduate June 1971 where allowed to do so. All other students threw themselves on the mercy of other schools in hopes of being admitted.
It’s amazing to come upon this article.
My mother, her sister and myself,
1970 grad, all learned from SCN.
If someone reads this that knows of gatherings of graduates, please let me know.
Ann Newcomb 1970
Edna Marie Boone Newcomb 1947?
Catherine Boone Keene??
Thank you.
Here is Louise Walker’s memorial on Find-A-Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/186698721/louise-gwendolyn-hall
I am wondering if the birth records for St. Joesph Infirmary are still available. When getting a certified copy of my birth the day was listed wrong. They have me as 12/20/51 when it should be 12/22/1951. Evidently it was filed wrong. I am in the process of getting it corrected and need all the info I can get.
Can you help me ? My name was Sharon Marie Wheatley
The certificate # 68197
Are there any death certificates from the August 1907?
I am searching for the death certificate for Elijah D. “Bud” Walker.
He died while in the St Joseph Infermany where he had stones removed from his bladder.
He was my great grand uncle.
I am working on genealogy and searching for his mothers maiden name. Thank you
Visited St.Joseph Infirmary numerous times in the late 50s and 60s. My great aunt Sr. Mary Benigna SCN. served therein administration.
I worked in the St Joe ER from 1969 to 1978 and a few weeks over at Audubon helping them get set up. In 1978 Audubon opened and patients were transferred over from St Joe. So they were both open for just a couple of weeks.
I was a twin born there in May 17 1949
I was born at St. Joseph’s and my daughter was one of the last babies born there before they closed. Always a special place to me growing up as we lived in the neighborhood and if any family member was sick, that is where we went for care- they were like trusted family members- we knew they would always do everything they could to take care of us
St. Joe’s is very dear to my heart. My siblings & I were born there. I was in the 1st class of candy stripers, got my 1st job there at 16 making $1.50/hr in the business office hired by Sr Joseph Ellen, did some college nursing rotations there, spent many hours in the beautiful chapel, heard the call to religious life with the SCNs, which was shortened to 2 years, ultimately was hired as an RN in the Pediatric Dept upon graduating from Catherine Spalding College, and my 1st child was born there. St Joe’s had a character about it unmatched by any other hospital, even today. The staff were outstanding, the level of care superb. So many intelligent SCNs were in leadership positions of the various departments. Loved the Grotto, which to my knowledge is still there in the midst of UofL housing. So many fond, warm memories! Thank you for the walk down Memory Lane.
Yes the grotto and the gym are still there. My niece lived in dorm housing at Speed, right next the grotto, and used the gum
How can I get a copy of my baby pictures from St. Joseph’s hospital? I am asking for a friend. My wife contacted someone and they sent us our baby pictures that they still had the copies of from back in 1955 & 1957 . We forgot what we did with the contact information
How can I get a copy of my baby pictures from St. Joseph’s hospital? I am asking for a friend. My wife contacted someone and they sent us our baby pictures that they still had the copies of from back in 1955 & 1957 . We forgot what we did with the contact information.
I very much enjoyed reading about St. Joseph Infirmary, and remember it as a comfort knowing the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth ran it when I had family members admitted there through the years. I have had many family members living in Louisville, and still do.
It is always inspiring to read these historic narratives, showcasing the charism and vision of the SCNs and how they enhanced with the signs of the times. It also manifests the alertness and willingness of the SCNs to let go of things and ministries which were close to their hearts. Thank you, Kathy.
My grandfather, Dr. Joseph Parker an anesthesiologist, worked with Dr. Irvin Abell at St. Joseph’s Infirmary 1930’s +. Reading my mother’s journal, “upon entering the hospital, we were immediately aware of the quietness and huge statue of St. Joseph with a vigil light burning at his feet. As Daddy made his rounds we would sit in the Sun Room with green wicker furniture and huge fern plants. Daddy went to chapel before every operation”.
My eighth grade teacher from Most Blessed Sacrament, Sister Catherine Lucille Drury, was missioned at St Joe’s from 1943-45.
The grotto has special meaning for me. Martha Discher SCN administrator, assigned me to care for the all rose garden in the 60’s when my first nursing staff assignment was at S. Joe’s. The grotto was also the early a.m. prayer site for Thomas Merton. whenever he was a patient, as well as his annual checkup visit in Derby week!