Historical Marker

St. Vincent Orphanage and Infirmary

Historical marker location:

Louisville, Kentucky

( 1006 E. Jefferson St., Louisville)

Site of St. Vincent Orphanage and Infirmary from 1836-1891. It was begun by Catherine Spalding to care for sick & abandoned children. The infirmary was moved to 4th St. in 1853 & named St. Joseph. In 1926, patients were moved to the new St. Joseph Hospital on Eastern Pkwy. The orphanage later became Saints Thomas and Vincent; closed in 1983.

Reverse

Catherine Spalding- Co-founder of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth in Ky., she wrote that the orphanage was “the only place on earth to which my heart clings.” Catherine loved and nurtured hundreds of children, and it was said that every orphan in Louisville claimed her as their mother. She died here on March 20, 1858, after contracting pneumonia.