A Timeline of Significant Events in our Mercy Story from our Foundation to the Present Day
1842
On May 2, 1842, Sister Francis Creedon, accompanied by Sisters Ursula Frayne and Rose Lynch left St. Catherine’s Convent, Baggot Street, and crossed the Atlantic Ocean to form the first community of the Sisters of Mercy in the New World. They arrived in St. John’s, Newfoundland on June 3, 1842. This date marks the establishment of the Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy of Newfoundland.
1847
Death of Sister Joseph Nugent from typhus. In June of 1847 when a typhus epidemic broke out in St. John’s, Sisters M. Francis and M. Joseph closed the school and devoted themselves totally to those afflicted with the dreaded disease. It was while Sister M. Joseph was caring for a young seaman who was dying from typhus that she herself became infected. After two weeks of intense suffering, she died on June 17 at the age of 48.
Read more of her story here
1855
First Newfoundlander, Anastasia Tarrahan, entered the order; Death of Sister Francis Creedon
1859
Foundation of St. Michael’s Convent and Orphanage
1861
First wave of expansion: Brigus, Burin, Petty Harbour, Conception Harbour,
1871
St. Lawrence
1884
St. Bride’s College and Convent opened
1893
On July 28, 1893, Sisters M. Antonio Egan, M. Corsini Dempsey, M. Veronica Payne and M. Sylvester Carver arrived by ship from Providence, Rhode Island to establish a Convent of Mercy and a school in mission territory far removed from the advantaged life they had lived in the United States. The incredible story of their coming and their staying is a testament to the amazing mystery of God’s call and human response.
Read more of the Foundation Story here
1916
Amalgamation of nine Convents of Mercy in Newfoundland into one congregation
1917 to 1950
Second wave of expansion: Curling, Bell Island, Bay bulls, St. Joseph’s, Marystown, St. Teresa’s, Goulds, Stephenville Crossing
1922
On May 21, 1922, the Sisters of Mercy of Newfoundland opened a hospital in a small dwelling, the “White House” to care for 23 patients. From these small beginnings has grown a Tertiary, adult acute care hospital serving the people of Newfoundland and Labrador for over 100 years.
1939
Opening of St. Clare’s School of Nursing
1958
Opening of Holy Heart of Mary high School – joint ministry with Presentation Sisters
1959
Through the inspiration and efforts of Archbishop Patrick Skinner, St. Patrick’s Mercy Home, a long-term care facility located in St. John’s was opened in 1958 under the administration of the Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy. Its mission is to provide quality and compassionate care for its residents.
1959 to 1984
Third wave of expansion: St. John Eudes, Baie Verte, North River, Upper Ferry, St. Fintan’s, Rushoon
1960
1961
Opening of Mission in Monfesu, Peru – when a group of six sisters (pictured) took the long journey to participate in the mission of the Archdiocese of St. John’s in Monsefu, Chiclayo. Our Sisters of Mercy now minister in two areas of the country – in Puerto Eten, Reque and Eten, in the Chiclayo region and in Huarmey, Ancash.
1991
Opening of McAuley Convent on Littledale Property
1994
The Gathering Place was established in response to the needs of those seeking food in St. John’s. It was opened in 1994 by the Sisters of Mercy and the Presentation Sisters in a former school building owned by the Sisters of Mercy. The Gathering Place is a health care centre committed to building community, promoting equality and providing nourishment of body, mind and spirit. It exists to meet the needs of vulnerable people whom society has failed.
Read more about The Gathering Place here
2020
On October 7, 2020, the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, fourteen sisters from various convents moved to their new home on the third floor of the Residence at Littledale and on October 15, 2020 twenty-three sisters from McAuley Convent took up residence there. The journey to the new residence began in 2012 through Congregational Assemblies and Chapters.
Read more about the move to The residence here
