150th Anniversary of St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital – Mass and Unveiling

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On November 15, 1875, three Hospital Sisters of St. Francis arrived in Effingham to begin providing health care in this community.  Now 150 years later, that same compassionate health care mission continues today at HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital.

HSHS St. Anthony’s is celebrating their history through various activities throughout the year, one of which will be a special Mass with the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis on Wednesday, April 30 at 11:30 a.m. in the hospital Chapel.  The Mass will be celebrated by The Most Reverend Thomas John Paprocki, Bishop of the Diocese of Springfield, Illinois and concelebrated by local clergy.

“The first Hospital Sisters of St. Francis that came to America had a difficult road to get here and challenges to face when they arrived, but they were deeply committed to serving as we are today,” said Anthony Powers, St. Anthony’s Chief Administrative Officer. “This Mass honors their service and dedication to establish a health care ministry that’s now reaching across Illinois and Wisconsin. We are so grateful and proud that they entrust their mission in our hands.”

Mosaic Artwork Unveiling

After Mass, there will be a brief unveiling and blessing of the final panel of a mosaic artistic piece by Dr. Ruben Boyajian, artist, general surgeon with HSHS Medical Group, and Medical Director of St. Anthony’s Women’s Wellness and Cancer Care Services.  The three-panel artwork hangs in the hospital’s Heritage hallway that overlooks the Healing Garden.

The first two panels were unveiled in 2018 and 2023, respectively, and were inspired by the “Canticle of the Sun” the well-known prayer written by St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis.  The third and final panel concludes the artwork focusing on the St. Anthony’s Hospital 1949 fire, honoring the memory of the victims by incorporating their names in the artwork, and commemorates the recovery efforts and support following the fire which led to HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital of today.  Video of the panel unveiling will be available on St. Anthony’s social media channels after the event.

For more information about HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, visit  stanthonyshospital.org.