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History
Pioneer beginnings transformed into history of service
The Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth trace our roots to the spirit, spirituality and outreach of St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac who served in 17th century France. Their ministries and vocations influenced the founding of several communities of women religious in the United States. Founded in Leavenworth, Kan., in 1858 by Mother Xavier Ross, our SCL Community has deep roots in this Vincentian tradition.
Fall 1858
Bishop John Baptist Miege invites Mother Xavier Ross and the Sisters of Charity to “Come north” from Nashville to the pioneer territory for which he was responsible. 
Nov. 11, 1858
First Sisters of Charity arrive in Leavenworth, Kan. 
March 8, 1859
Sisters open St. Mary’s Academy for Young Ladies, Leavenworth.
March 15, 1864
Sisters open St. John’s Hospital, Leavenworth, the first civilian hospital in the territory of Kansas. 
1869
The first group of Sisters respond to the call to serve in Helena, Mont. In subsequent years, the SCLs establish ministries or serve in California, Colorado, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
1870
St. Mary’s Academy opens at a new site in Leavenworth (location of current University of Saint Mary); operates as a high school until 1950.
Jan. 6, 1916
The SCLs dedicate Annunciation Chapel in Leavenworth.
Sept. 10, 1923
SCLs open St. Mary’s Junior College in Leavenworth.
1930
St. Mary’s expands to a four-year college.
Nov. 11, 1940
Community dedicates new Mother House.
Nov. 8, 1963
SCLs establish their first Latin American mission in Peru. In subsequent years, SCLs serve in Bolivia, Ecuador and Guatemala.
1965
The Community dedicates Ross Hall as the retirement center at the Mother House for SCLs.
Dec. 12, 1972
Hospitals formerly operated by the Sisters are organized into a separately incorporated health system.
1981
First Peruvian young woman enters the South American novitiate.
1988
SCLs begin Associate program.
1995
SCL Community joins Federation of Congregations of Charity, network of other Sisters of Charity with Vincentian roots (today’s Charity Federation).
2003
New Marillac Retreat Center opens on Mother House campus
March 2005
Hermana Susana Córdova becomes the first Peruvian Director of the Latin American Missions.
2006
Cristo Rey Kansas City High School begins as newest SCL sponsored ministry.
2011
SCLs name Terri Butel first lay director of SCL Associates.
2011
First SCL responds to call for mission service in South Sudan.
Sept. 25, 2011
SCLs transfer sponsorship of Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health System to Leaven Ministries, new public juridic person.
Sept. 30, 2015
New Ross Hall opens.
2017
SCL Community participates in international observance of 400th anniversary of Vincentian charism.
2018
The SCL Community celebrates the 160th Anniversary of the pioneer Sisters arriving in Leavenworth.
April 22, 2018
Care of Creation Committee hosts first Earth Fest at SCL Mother House.
2019
SCLs subscribe to sustainable wind energy initiative.
June 13-26, 2019
70 SCLs and SCL Associates attend first ever Charity Federation Assembly of the Whole meeting.
Nov. 11, 2019
Richard Sack receives inaugural Vincentian Charism Award presented by Sister Constance Phelps on behalf of SCL Community
Richard with Sister Constance Phelps, SCL Community Director.
More complete histories of the SCL Community appear in:
- History of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, Kansas,Sister Mary Buckner, SCL. Kansas City, Mo.: Hudson-Kimberly Publishing Co., 1898.
- We Came North, Centennial Story of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, Sister Julia Gilmore, SCL. St. Meinrad, Ill.: Abbey Press, 1958.
- Come North, The Life-Story of Mother Xavier Ross, Sister Julia Gilmore, SCL. Brooklyn, N.Y.: McMullen Books at Polygon Press, Inc., 1951.
- We Heard the Call, The History of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth in Latin America, 1963-2003, Sister Rose Dolores Hoffelmeyer, SCL, 2005.
- Emerging Frontiers, Renewal in the Life of Women Religious, Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, 1955-2005, Sister Marie Brinkman, SCL. Mahwah, N.J.: Paulist Press, 2008.
- History Highlights, updated 2018.
Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth
4200 South 4th Street
Leavenworth, Kansas 66048
Phone: 913-682-7500
Fax: 913-364-5401
Email: communications@scls.org