The Louisville cholera epidemic of 1832 took many lives and left many children as orphans. During that time, a handful of German Catholics, recognizing the grave need to care for these children, formed the St. Joseph Catholic Orphan Society, in 1849.

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.

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.

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.

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.