By Don Stubbings, Director of SCL Associates
It’s no secret that I love a good road trip. So, when the opportunity arose to attend the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul National Assembly in Louisville, Kentucky, I knew I had to make one more stop—at the campus of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth (SCN). After a quick email to the appropriate person, plans were underway for a day filled with prayer, connection, and history—including the extraordinary experience of holding and reading an original letter from Saint Vincent de Paul himself.
The Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth (SCL) and the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth (SCN) share a sacred bond. Six Sisters left Nazareth, Kentucky, answering the call that would eventually lead them first to Nashville and then onward to Leavenworth. Their courage and faith became the foundation of our own Community.
A Warm Welcome
My day began with a drive through the winding roads of Bardstown, passing distilleries that once traded coal with the SCN Community in exchange for limestone water, which was used to produce medical alcohol during the war. Upon arriving at the SCN campus, I was greeted by Dorothy Zimmerman, who serves on the SCNA Core Council—a role much like that of our SCL Associate Advisory Board. We were soon joined by Sister Sarah Geier, SCN, another Core Council member, who narrated the rich history displayed on the walls as we made our way to Saint Vincent de Paul Church for Mass.
During Mass, I was introduced to the Community, and afterward, many Sisters came up to share their connections to the SCL Community. “Tell Sister Sharon Smith I said hi,” one Sister said.
Another asked, “How is Sister Nancy Bauman?”
It was clear that these relationships are cherished and enduring.
Walking Through History
After lunch—and many friendly taps on the shoulder welcoming me—we toured the SCN Heritage Center with Archivist and Director Kelly O’Daniel. Like our own SCL Archivist, Tonya Crawford, Kelly has the gift of bringing history to life. She took us back to the time when our six Sisters departed for Nashville, recounting many stories of the Sisters’ legacy in Kentucky.
One particularly memorable story came from the Civil War era. Union soldiers, though not in battle, were peering in at the Academy girls during recreational time. According to Kelly, Mother Columba Carroll walked right outside and shooed the soldiers away while the girls were hurried upstairs and out of sight.
The museum also includes a sobering exhibit honoring the enslaved people once owned by the Sisters—a painful part of history. In one powerful display, an audio recording recounts how, upon emancipation, many formerly enslaved individuals chose to remain with the SCN Community as paid employees, reflecting the compassion they had experienced. The Sisters held a dinner in their honor and provided supplies to those beginning new lives. The Community even rented nearby cabins for those who chose to stay.
After the museum, we toured the campus, where I saw former college dormitories now repurposed into affordable housing—a natural extension of the Sisters’ mission to serve those on the margins.
Faith Preserved in Ink
Our final stop was the archives, where I had the rare privilege of holding two remarkable historical documents: an original letter from Saint Vincent de Paul, carefully preserved and accessible for handling, and an original “Safeguard” document—similar to a modern-day presidential executive order—from President Abraham Lincoln. The document instructed Union troops:
“Let no depredations be committed upon the property or possessions of the ‘Sisters of Charity,’ near Bardstown, KY.”
Holding these documents was profoundly moving—a tangible reminder of our shared spiritual heritage and the enduring call to charity.
A Living Bond
The visit concluded with conversations about the formation processes of our Associate programs and how we might continue to strengthen our collaboration. The bond between the SCL and SCN Communities is not merely historical—it is vibrant and growing, grounded in a shared charism and commitment to serving those in need.
As an added grace, the Saint Vincent de Paul Society conference was held at Louisville’s historic Galt House Hotel. This is the same hotel where Ann Ross once met with her parents, who tried to convince her to leave the Community. She chose to stay—and, as the saying goes, the rest is history…an incredible history.
