St. Joseph - Our History

When three Franciscan Sisters arrived on a mission to provide nursing care to Milwaukee in 1879, little did they know the long-term effect they would have in establishing one of the community's first hospitals - St. Joseph.

Humble Beginnings, Sacred Mission
With the help of Capuchin friars and parishioners from St. Francis Church, the Sisters settled in their first home on Fourth and Walnut streets. The Sisters relied almost entirely on charity to provide food and basic necessities for their clients, even begging door to door. A stable at the rear of the Sisters' home was used to shelter cattle, chickens and a horse. The horse was hitched to the wagon used for the Sisters' rural collection trips.

Their payment for serving the sick was often was less than $1.50 a week, yet the Sisters continued working day and night at the bedside of patients suffering from typhoid, scarlet fever and other diseases.

Increasing Healthcare Needs
As Milwaukee expanded, so did its need for nursing. Two more Sisters joined the group, requiring a move to a larger home on Fourth and Reservoir Streets. By 1882, a hospital was desperately needed and a group of city leaders agreed to help raise the $30,000 to build a 40-bed facility. The Sisters' home and surrounding property were chosen as the location for the new hospital. The original hospital had no steam heat; patient rooms were warmed by coal stoves. Gas lights provided illumination at night. On wash days, the Sisters woke at midnight to rub clothes on a washboard and began patient care at dawn.

Dramatic Growth, Compassionate Care
A rapidly growing patient population spurred the construction of a new hospital at 51st and Chambers streets in 1928, dramatically increasing patient capacity and facilities. With medical advances, growing need for health services, and the introduction of health insurance in the post-war era, St. Joseph developed and expanded a number of important programs.

In 1960, a three-stage expansion project increased the hospital's inpatient bed capacity and enlarged ancillary services. In the 1970s, initiatives included the debut of specialty services including the highly-acclaimed neonatal intensive care unit, as well as cancer, cardiac, physical medicine and perinatal care units. During the 1980s and 90s, advances continued in all specialty areas.

Over the years, St. Joseph's growth as a regional medical center provided high quality health care to Southeast Wisconsin through comprehensive services and programs.

The medical staff, clinical team and support associates continue to be as committed as our founding Sisters in providing health services with sensitivity and compassion, ministering to the physical, spiritual and emotional needs of patients.

Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - St. Joseph
5000 W. Chambers Street
Milwaukee WI 53210
(414) 447-2000