Our History
Pioneer Beginnings Transformed Into a History of Service
We, the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, trace our roots to the spirit, spirituality, and outreach of Saints Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac, who served in 17th-century France. Our ministries and vocations influenced the founding of several communities of women religious in the United States. Founded in Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1858 by Mother Xavier Ross, the SCL Community has deep roots in this Vincentian tradition.
1858
In the Fall, 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.
November 11
The first Sisters of Charity arrive in Leavenworth, Kansas.
1859
March 8
Sisters open Saint Mary’s Academy for Young Ladies, Leavenworth.
1864
March 15
The 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, Montana. 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
Saint Mary’s Academy opens at a new site in Leavenworth (location of current University of Saint Mary); operates as a high school until 1950.
1916
January 6
The SCLs dedicate Annunciation Chapel in Leavenworth.
1923
September 10
SCLs open Saint Mary’s Junior College in Leavenworth.
1930
Saint Mary’s expands to a four-year college.
1940
November 11
Community dedicates new Mother House.
1963
November 8
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 for SCLs at the Mother House.
1972
December 12
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, a network of other Sisters of Charity with Vincentian roots (today’s Charity Federation).
2003
New Marillac Retreat Center opens on Mother House campus.
2005
In March, 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.
May 4
SCLs and Hermanas dedicate Centro San Vicente de Paul in Piura, Peru.
2011
SCLs name Terri Butel first lay director of SCL Associates.
First SCL responds to call for mission service in South Sudan.
September 25
SCLs transfer sponsorship of Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health System to Leaven Ministries, new public juridic person.
2014
December
Leavenworth Interfaith Community of Hope, a cooperative ministry between the Sisters and several local faith communities, began as Welcome Central to assist those who live in poverty.
2015
September 30
New Ross Hall opens.
2016
Leavenworth Interfaith Community of Hope opens an emergency night shelter.
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.
Leavenworth Interfaith Community of Hope opens a day shelter.
April 22
Care of Creation Committee hosts first Earth Fest at SCL Mother House.
2019
SCLs subscribe to sustainable wind energy initiative.
June 13-26
Seventy SCLs and SCL Associates attend first ever Charity Federation Assembly of the Whole meeting.
November 11
Richard Sack receives inaugural Vincentian Charism Award presented by Sister Constance Phelps on behalf of SCL Community.
2020
As the entire world shut down for the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sisters found new ways of utilizing technology to stay in touch with each other, and held prayers outside to provide the needed space to keep everyone safe.
2022
The SCLs hold their Community Chapter Assembly off-site due to lingering COVID-19 concerns. They write the Chapter 2022 Directional Statement.
2023
Marillac Retreat and Spirituality Center hires its first non-SCL staff members.