In 1851 a handful of pioneering Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine were brought to Cleveland at the request of Bishop Amadeus Rappe, the first bishop of Cleveland.

Against the backdrop of a soul-searing Civil War and a spirit saddened by the assassination of a President, new life was teeming on the streets, avenues, shores, railways and alleys of Cleveland. However, without a hospital the city could not serve the railroad and steamboat disaster victims and returning Civil War soldiers who were requiring immediate medical attention and nursing care.

To meet these needs, St. Vincent Charity Hospital, rose above almost insurmountable difficulties to come into existence.

In May 1863, Bishop Rappe had proposed to City Council that Cleveland build a hospital to care for wounded soldiers, with nursing care to be provided by the Sisters. City Council appointed a committee to investigate and immediately dissension occurred. Newspaper editorials opposed a hospital under Catholic auspices since nine-tenths of the taxpayers were Protestants, and proposed instead the establishment of a nonsectarian hospital.

Familiar with failure and discouragement, Bishop Rappe made another attempt. He offered to build a hospital and provide Sisters to care for the patients if the citizens would furnish adequate financial support.

Cleveland citizens agreed and the site—at Perry Street (now East 22^nd Street) between Marion and Garden Streets (now Central Avenue)—was purchased for $10,000. The initial hospital cost $72,000 of which $42,000 was raised from the primarily Protestant Cleveland community.

The Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine stated that patients would be received regardless of religious belief and that those unable to pay would have their care paid for by the city.

Mother Augustine, a woman of refinement and strength of character, who possessed unusual executive ability, was the first superior of the hospital. She and seven Sisters took up their duties on October 5, 1865. Their practice of always aiding the sick and suffering regardless of creed, race or ability to pay has continued throughout the next century and a half.

In November 2022, St. Vincent Charity Medical Center became St. Vincent Charity Community Health Center after transitioning from acute care (inpatient) to ambulatory care only (outpatient). St. Vincent Charity Community Health Center continues to be a provider of faith-based, high-quality care, providing outpatient services that include primary care, behavioral health and addiction medicine.

Everyone at St. Vincent Charity is devoted to the mission to treat every person with clinical excellence and compassionate care. Because we are all caregivers.

Along with all ministries of the Sisters of Charity Health System, we carry forward the mission of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine. 

RESPECT

We serve in an atmosphere of mutual respect and fairness, treating each person with reverence and dignity that recognizes each individual’s contribution.

INTEGRITY

We hold ourselves accountable for our actions and are honest and ethical in all our dealings.

QUALITY

We are committed to continuous improvement of our services to better each life as if it were our own.

TEAMWORK

We celebrate the opportunity to come together as Caregivers in an inclusive workplace where diversity and open communication are valued.