Our first home
The Society built
its first
home in 1850,
but increasing
numbers of
children
needing care
prompted
several locations
before settling at the present
site in Crescent
Hill
in 1885.
Notre Dame Sisters
from Milwaukee
administered
the Home
from 1865
– 1897. The
Ursuline
Sisters of
Louisville
became administrators
and staffed
the home
from 1897
until 1972. Since then, St. Joe's continues to serve children,
but under individual administrators hired by the Society's
Board of
Trustees.
The Picnic is
born
In 1851, a fair was organized to meet the payments on the Society's
first home. This annual picnic continues to be a major fundraiser
as well as a community social event.
Families have
changed since 1849, but at St. Joseph Children's Home our commitment
to children has not. Through the years, we have offered hope
in family-crisis situations, assisting the child in overcoming
obstacles which could limit growth and development.
Today's dependent child is no longer a victim of epidemic or war,
but of family crisis,
financial difficulty
or an abusive, neglectful environment. In response to changing
societal conditions, St. Joseph has evolved from an orphanage
to that of a more diversified child caring facility.
Sister Loretta's retirement marks the end of an era
 St. Joe’s celebrated the retirement of Sister Loretta, the last remaining Ursuline Sister to serve at St. Joseph Children’s Home. With the help of old friends, the children from all programs and the Board of Trustees, Sister Loretta’s time at St. Joe’s was recognized. The retirement of Sister Loretta marked the end of an era as she represented the Ursuline Sisters who had cared for the children from 1897 through to Sister Loretta’s retirement.
For many decades the Sisters administered and staffed St. Joseph Children’s Home. In 1972 they formally stepped down as administrators and were replaced by lay staff. Even though the administration and staff changed, Sister Loretta was a welcome reminder of St. Joe’s past and its strong connection to the Ursuline Sisters.
Good bye Sister Loretta, we will all miss you. |
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Helping families
face life's
challenges
We understand
the challenges
families face. Values change, families are uprooted and disrupted;
unexpected events overwhelm them. Our programs are designed
to help families in need of quality child care.
 As always, St.
Joseph places
great emphasis
on helping
children,
providing
a loving
environment
in which
to learn,
and an atmosphere
that a vulnerable
child needs
during times
of family crisis. St.
Joseph has
adapted to
the current
needs of
families,
remaining
faithful to its original commitment: the growth and development
of children.
St. Joseph, located in Crescent Hill on the outskirts of downtown
Louisville, is surrounded by shade trees and 40 acres of land.
The building was built in 1885.
St. Joseph Catholic Orphan's Society has been reaccredited by the Council on Accreditation
The Council on Accreditation's (COA) commitment to maintaining the highest level of standards and quality improvement is designed to identify providers that have set high performance standards for themselves and have made a commitment to their constituents to deliver the highest quality services. COA is proud to recognize St. Joseph Catholic Orphan Society, Inc. as one of these outstanding providers. Click here to read the full COA letter. |
