Statue Dedication Culmination of 75th Anniversary of St. Anthony Hospital Fire

The dedication of a statue featuring a nurse holding a baby was the culmination of a commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the St. Anthony Hospital fire.

The dedication ceremony was held Sunday afternoon.

The joint effort was undertaken by the Effingham Retired Volunteer Firefighters Association, HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital, and the City of Effingham. Many individual volunteers were also a part of the project.

Sunday's speakers included HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital President and CEO Chad Markham, Effingham Mayor Mike Schutzbach, and retired Effingham Fire Chief Nick Althoff and longtime local firefighter Jim Wolters, who serve as President and Vice-President of the Effingham Retired Volunteer Firefighters Association. A color guard made up of members of Effingham American Legion Post #120, Effingham VFW Post #1769, and Effingham DAV Chapter #7 presented the colors.

Markham reflected on his opportunity to get to know the retired fire chiefs through the planning process for the event. He said, "We are grateful for the brave first responders and firefighters who took action that day in 1949, as well as those who respond to emergency situations today." Markham added, "We, along with the Sisters, remain grateful for the community support that arose just hours after the fire. We still feel that bond today."

Schutzbach shared how "endless acts of kindness, valor and faithfulness have led the way over the years for a legacy of unity and rebirth."

Some 200 people attended Sunday's ceremony, including 97-year-old Anita Sidener of St. Elmo, one of the remaining survivors of the fire.

In 1949, the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis had been serving the Effingham community since 1875 amd had a 100-bed hospital built mainly of wood and bricks. Just before midnight on April 4, 1949, a massive fire broke out. The flames burned through and wood and plaster, trapping over 100 patients including elderly and newborns. Staff and Sisters went in to try to help people escape the fire. In the end, 77 people died, including adults, children and infant patients, nurses, Sisters, and others attempting to rescue victims. It's in their memory that St. Anthony's is known as St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital today. The new hospital was dedicated on May 16, 1954.

The Effingham fire led to a nationwide hospital inspection for fire hazards. The National Fire Protection Association investigated and changed many of the regulations and fire codes nationwide to ensure a fire of this magnitude would not occur again.

Recognition was also given to Effingham City Commissioner Libby Moeller for her efforts in support of the project, and to Jamie Stang Ellis who developed the design of the statue.