In 1869, Sisters Mary Hyacinth, Mary Francis, Mary Stephany, and Mary Hoffen, a postulant, came to Trenton to establish St. Francis Hospital. The cornerstone for the new hospital was laid in place on October 1, 1871. The sisters took occupancy of the building in 1873, and the hospital was dedicated on May 31, 1874. The engraving above represents the Hospital as it appeared 23 years later. It is interesting to compare the austere building above with the huge sprawling facility on Hamilton Avenue and Chambers Street as it is today. In those very early years, there were many patients who were destitute and couldn't afford to pay for their treatment. In keeping with their sacred mission of mercy, no one was charged who didn't have the means to pay. The article below the engraving of the hospital describes one of the many successful fund raisers the sisters organized with the very willing support of the the community.
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