Historical Overview
In 1901, forty-six women, members of the School Sisters of St. Francis in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, responded to the need to educate poor Polish immigrant families. Under the leadership of Mothers Felicia and Clara and with the assistance of Bishop Sebastian Messmer (Bishop of Green Bay, Wisconsin) and Father Luke Pescinski (Pastor of St. Peter Parish in Stevens Point, Wisconsin), these women risked everything and left the School Sisters of St. Francis.

On July 1, 1901, the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis, originally known as the Polish Sisters of St. Joseph, was founded in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.

As the Congregation grew, three Provinces were established: Stevens Point, Wisconsin (1903); Garfield Heights, Ohio (1926); and Chicago, Illinois (1936). The Provinces expanded the Congregation's mission to educate by founding the following educational institutions:

Maria High School (originally named St. Joseph Academy)
Stevens Point, Wisconsin --- 1922 - 1972

Trinity High School (originally called St. Joseph Academy; then Marymount High School)
Garfield Heights, Ohio --- 1926 - present
Trinity Web Site: www.ths.org

Lourdes High School
Chicago, Illinois --- 1936 - 2001
(Lourdes Hall is now the women's campus of De La Salle Institute and operates as a partnership ministry with the Brothers of the Christian Schools.)
De La Salle Web Site:  www.dls.org 

Immaculata College (Sisters' Junior College)
Chicago/Bartlett, Illinois --- 1955-1969

Regina High School
Harper Woods, Michigan ---1956 - present
Regina Web Site: www.reginahs.com

Bartlett Learning Center
Bartlett, Illinois --- 1968 - present

In the 1930's, the mission of the Congregation was broadened to include health care ministry. This was in response to the growing need for Catholic health care facilities. The following health care institutions have been sponsored by the Congregation:

River Pines Sanitarium
Stevens Point, Wisconsin 1938 - 1971

St. Joseph Hospital
Meridian, Mississippi 1945 - 1979

Sacred Heart Hospital
Loup City, Nebraska 1945 - 1978

Divine Infant Hospital
Wakefield, Michigan 1946 - 1979

St. Joseph Hospital of the Plains
Cheyenne Well, Colorado 1947 - 1987

Marymount Hospital
Garfield Heights, Ohio 1949 - present

St. Joseph Home and Hospital
River Falls, Wisconsin 1962 - 1975

St. Joseph Hospital and Nursing Home
Rice Lake, Wisconsin 1966 - 1969

In the 1970's, a number of the Congregation's Institutions were sold or transferred to local organizations for continued operation. Other Institutions the Congregation continued to sponsor were separately incorporated and began to function under the direction of Boards of Trustees/Directors.

The Congregation continues to sponsor Institutions where witness to Gospel values furthers the mission of Jesus and continues to fulfill the original commitments of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis. The needs of the Church and the people who are served continue to guide the development of new ventures in ministry.

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Significant Dates in our History

July 1, 1901
Forty-six School Sisters of St. Francis withdrew from their order to form a new community, now known as the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis.

May 20, 1902
The cornerstone of the Motherhouse, St. Joseph Convent (now known as St. Joseph Congregational Home) in Stevens Point, Wisconsin was blessed.

August 13, 1902
The 1st General Chapter was held in Stevens Point. Mother Mary Felicia and Mother Mary Clara were elected First Superior General and Assistant, respectively.

August 15, 1926
Marymount Convent and Academy (now known as Marymount Congregational Home) were dedicated.

October 1, 1939
Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Garfield Heights, Ohio, was blessed.

November 11, 1943
General Administration moved from the Motherhouse at Stevens Point to the Motherhouse at South Bend.

May 31, 1964
Immaculate Conception Provincial Convent (now known as Immaculata Congregational Home) in Bartlett, Illinois was dedicated.

July 21, 1972
The Congregation voted to establish the St. Francis and Mission Regions as an addition to the existing provincial governance structure.

July 1, 1990
The congregation changed from a provincial/regional to a centralized governance structure.

December 4, 1995
Central Offices moved from South Bend into St. Joseph and Marymount Congregational Homes.

July 1, 2001
The Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis celebrated the 100th anniversary of the founding of the congregation.

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Evolution of Our Name
Throughout our history, the title of our congregation has changed, while the founding spirit has remained the same. The time line of our name evolution is as follows:

July 1, 1901 The Polish Sisters of St. Joseph

January 8, 1902 The Order of the Sisters of St. Joseph

June 20, 1903 Order of the Polish Sisters of St. Joseph

January 2, 1925 The Order of the Sisters of St. Joseph

March 15, 1945 The Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis

The Meaning of the Congregation's Logo

The logo symbolizes our call to be a Franciscan sisterhood under the patronage of St. Joseph and incorporates the Tau Cross, a Scriptural symbol which Francis adapted for his way of life signifying continuing conversion for the renewal of the Church, the crossed pierced hands of Jesus and St. Francis, and the net representing our Gospel mission to gather all into the kingdom of God and the fullness of life.

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Schools which have been staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis

Elementary Schools

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