Our History
The history of Providence Care dates back to the 1800's with the Founders known as the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul.
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Our Founders – The Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul
Providence Care’s Founders are the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul, a congregation of religious women within the Catholic Church, dedicated to compassionate service in response to the needs of our times.
For many years, the Sisters of Providence were actively involved in the management and operations of health care services in southeastern Ontario. Today, the Sisters’ legacy lives on in our region through Providence Care.
The Sisters continue to be involved in activities at Providence Care, often joining with us to mark important milestones and provide support.
St. Mary’s of the Lake Hospital
Introduction
Providence Care’s services have rich histories and throughout Providence Care, there are ties back to our heritage and our Founders – the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul. Our history demonstrates a long-standing commitment to the people of Kingston and southeastern Ontario.
Every year on December 13 we take the time to honour the contribution of four Sisters of Providence who made the journey to Kingston. Responding to an invitation from the Bishop to care for the sick, the elderly, the orphaned and the imprisoned, the Sisters arrived by train in the early morning hours on December 13, 1861. This day is celebrated annually as Founders’ Day.
The Sisters of Providence faced seemingly insurmountable challenges, and always found ways through the challenges to stay true to their mission to enhance quality of life. Now it is our turn, 161 years later, to continue to build on their history by providing high quality, compassionate care to those in our region who need it most.
Leading up to Founders Day, Providence Care’s rich history will be featured and we will reflect on the legacy of the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul, starting with St. Mary’s of the Lake Hospital.
Providence Care has a long history of construction and renovation at our sites, as the needs of our community have evolved and changed over the years. Led by the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul until divestment in 2007, some major projects include St. Mary’s of the Lake hospital. The original building, known as Hawthorne Cottage, was purchased by the Sisters of Providence in 1904. Additions to the building were made in 1910 and 1930 while the Sisters operated St. Mary’s of the Lake Orphanage from the site. A major renovation was completed in 1956, and then again in 1974.
The Beginnings: 1800's - Early 1990's
Originally owned by Emanuel Ellerbeck, St. Mary’s of the Lake land was passed from Richard Ellerbeck to Francis Archibald Harper and then to Daniel Rourk, who sold the property to Les Soeurs de la Congregation de Notre Dame de Montreal. Les Soeurs de la Congregation de Notre Dame de Montreal turned the property into a boarding school and renamed the site St. Mary’s of the Lake.
In 1904 the Sisters of Providence purchased St. Mary’s of the Lake from Les Soeurs de la Congregation de Notre Dame. In 1910, orphans from Providence Manor were moved to St. Mary’s of the Lake which remained an orphanage until the 1940s
Growth and the War: 1920's - 1950's
By the 1930s, St. Mary’s of the Lake experienced a sharp decline in the number of orphans entering the institution, largely due to escalating intervention on behalf of the Children’s Aid Society.
At the start of the Second World War, St. Mary’s of the Lake was leased to the Canadian Department of National Defense for use as a military hospital. St. Mary’s of the Lake remained a general military hospital until May 31, 1946, when it was returned to the Sisters of Providence who decided to keep the site as a hospital for the chronically ill instead of reverting it back to an orphanage. From 1942-1946 it was known as the Kingston Military Hospital.
By 1947, there were 85 patients in the hospital and rates were $5 and $6 per day for private rooms, $3.50 for two-bed rooms, $3 for three-bed rooms, and $2 for a space in a ward holding between four and six beds. From 1947 until 1950, numerous additions were made to the hospital including the institution of an Occupational Therapy Department and the installation of X-ray equipment.
Development and Expansion: 1950's - 1980's
In 1954, the first expansion of the hospital was completed, adding a new wing and increasing St. Mary’s capacity to 200 beds. By 1959, the Ontario Hospital Care Insurance Program covered about 90% of the populace.
In the 1960s the Medical Services Insurance Act and Health Services and the Health Services Insurance Act removed a large burden of the debt of health costs and improved funding for medical resources.
In 1971, St. Mary’s of the lake became a part of the Queen’s University Affiliated Hospital Council (QUAFHOP) in order to further education, research, and health services. Other members included Queen’s University, Kingston General Hospital, the Hotel Dieu Hospital, the Kingston Psychiatric Hospital, and St. Lawrence College. In 1977 St. Mary’s added a dental office to the building.
Compassion and Discovery: 1980's - Present Day
In the 1980s, the Sisters of Providence began to implement community outreach programs. In 1984 the Sisters made a request to the Ministry of Health to approve the construction of a facility at St. Mary’s that would accommodate 260 people instead of 200. Despite government cutbacks in the mid-80s, the Ministry of Health managed to approve a 4.7 million dollar budget for St. Mary’s of the Lake’s 3 to 5 year building project.
In 1984, Agnew Peckham and Associates completed Phase 1 of the planned expansion of St. Mary’s and presented it to the Ministry of Health. In 1988, St. Mary’s successfully reached the funding goal of 3.5 million dollars for the proposed expansion. The 1990s marked the first meeting of the Catholic Mission Effectiveness Committee and St. Mary’s of the Lake began providing care for former Ongwanada patients.
In 2006 the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul transferred the sponsorship of Providence Continuing Care Centre to the Catholic Health Corporation of Ontario. Also in 2006 the St. Vincent de Paul Hospital in Brockville was transferred to the Brockville General Hospital and Providence Continuing Care Centre changed its name to Providence Care.
In 2017, Providence Care opened Providence Care Hospital (PCH) – a 270-bed state-of-the-art care environment for patients and clients, bringing together the programs and services located at St. Mary’s of the Lake Hospital and Mental Health Services (MHS) buildings.
St. Mary’s of the Lake site is now home to Providence Transitional Care Centre. The centre aligns perfectly with our vision to redefine care in aging, mental health and rehabilitation.
In 2021, the St. Mary’s of the Lake property was repurposed and is now the new home to Providence Transitional Care Centre (PTCC). PTCC Providence Transitional Care Centre is a 64 bed facility providing specialized inpatient services. The care is designed to promote and preserve wellness and functionality in older adults with a focus on transitioning people back to their home in the community when they’re ready.
To this day, 161 years later, Providence Care continues the legacy of our Founders, the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul.
In 1984, Agnew Peckham and Associates completed Phase 1 of the planned expansion of St. Mary’s and presented it to the Ministry of Health. In 1988, St. Mary’s successfully reached the funding goal of 3.5 million dollars for the proposed expansion. The 1990s marked the first meeting of the Catholic Mission Effectiveness Committee and St. Mary’s of the Lake began providing care for former Ongwanada patients.
In 2006 the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul transferred the sponsorship of Providence Continuing Care Centre to the Catholic Health Corporation of Ontario. Also in 2006 the St. Vincent de Paul Hospital in Brockville was transferred to the Brockville General Hospital and Providence Continuing Care Centre changed its name to Providence Care.
Mental Health Services
Introduction
Every year on December 13 we take the time to honour the contribution of the four original Sisters of Providence who made the journey to Kingston. Responding to an invitation from the Bishop to care for the sick, the elderly, the orphaned and the imprisoned, the Sisters arrived by train in the early morning hours on December 13, 1861. This day is celebrated annually as Founders’ Day.
The Sisters of Providence faced seemingly insurmountable challenges, and always found ways through the challenges to stay true to their mission to enhance quality of life. Now it is our turn, 161 years later, to continue to build on their history by providing high quality, compassionate care to those in our region who need it most.
Leading up to Founders Day, Providence Care’s rich history will be featured and we will reflect on the legacy of the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul, including the history of our Mental Health Services.
Providence Care has a long history of construction and renovation at our sites, as the needs of our community have evolved and changed over the years. Led by the Sisters of Providence of St.Vincent de Paul until divestment in 2007, Mental Health Services has occupied several buildings on the Kingston campus.
Before joining Providence Care in 2001, the Kingston Psychiatric Hospital (previously known as Rockwood Hospital, and then Ontario Hospital- Kingston) has occupied several buildings, including of course Rockwood (later Penrose). The Westwood building, home to the Mental Health Services site, was opened in 1959.
The Beginnings: 1800's - Early 1990's
In 1829 John Howard proposed founding an asylum for the mentally ill in Kingston. Before the widespread use of asylums, people with psychiatric conditions were placed in jail.
In Kingston, they were placed in the basement of the penitentiary. In 1839, the House of Assembly allotted 3,000 pounds for the construction of an asylum; however, Toronto, with a larger population, was given priority in receiving the money.
In 1859, Rockwood Villa, which was built for J.S. Cartwright in 1841, became Rockwood Asylum. In 1894, Charles Kirk Clarke assumed the position of Rockwood’s superintendent. Although he was not Rockwood’s first superintendent, he initiated some remarkable changes in the asylum, including the publication of “The Rockwood Review”, a monthly newsletter, as well as building a gymnasium to encourage exercise among patients.
In 1904 the Sisters of Providence purchased St. Mary’s of the Lake from Les Soeurs de la Congregation de Notre Dame. In 1910, orphans from Providence Manor were moved to St. Mary’s of the Lake which remained an orphanage until the 1940s
Growth and the War: 1920's - 1950's
Under the leadership of Superintendent Edward Ryan, Rockwood Asylum’s name was changed to Rockwood Hospital and the Ontario Neuro-Psychiatric Association was instituted to expand avenues in clinical research as well as to bring mental health care professionals together. Ryan also persuaded the government to fund the development of the Mowat building to be used for recovering and rehabilitating individuals. In 1920 Rockwood Hospital’s name was changed again, this time to Ontario Hospital – Kingston.
In 1936, after Thomas Cumberland and Archibald Kilgour had both resigned as superintendents, Ernest A. Clark assumed the role, encouraging client interaction with the larger Kingston community and introducing libraries into both the main building and the Mowat Wing.
By the end of the Second World War, Joseph Stewart was superintendent and the hospital was grossly understaffed due to World War II. Three years later Roger Billings joined Ontario Hospital as director of the Mental Health Clinic.
Development and Expansion: 1950's - 1980's
After the Second World War, Ethel Clarke, Director of Occupational Therapy, introduced an Occupational Therapy Assistant’s course to the hospital.
In 1959, the Westwood complex (currently the Mental Health Services site) opened under Homer McCuaig, the superintendent at the time.
During the 1960s, the hospital underwent many changes, making the atmosphere for clients more relaxed and positive. Brian Juniper introduced a music department for clients; John Pratten eliminated the hospital’s “locked door” policy; and a special unit for children and adolescents opened in the hospital.
In 1965 the name Ontario Hospital – Kingston was changed to Kingston Psychiatric Hospital in an effort to encourage the people of Kingston to think about the hospital as a part of the community.
In 1971, the Ministry of Health eliminated the position of medical superintendent in provincial psychiatric facilities in an effort to democratize responsibility therein. The next year, Richard Van Allen introduced a series of co-operative homes to be run by patients with some help from students and hospital staff. 1975 marked a year of physical developments to the building itself: it was the year that the Beechgrove complex opened.
Compassion and Discovery: 1980's - Present Day
In March of 2001, after years of planning, the Kingston Psychiatric Hospital was divested from the province and placed under the authority of the Providence Continuing Care Centre’s Governing Board, joining St. Mary’s of the Lake Hospital and Providence Manor. The former psychiatric hospital’s name was changed to Mental Health Services.
In 2017, Providence Care opened Providence Care Hospital (PCH) – a 270-bed state-of-the-art care environment for patients and clients, bringing together the programs and services located at St. Mary’s of the Lake Hospital and Mental Health Services (MHS) buildings.
PCH is the first publicly funded hospital in North America to fully-integrate long-term, specialized mental health, physical rehabilitation, palliative care and complex care together in one building, reflecting Providence Care’s Values to treat each person with respect, dignity and compassion. The entire hospital has been designed to be welcoming and inclusive of all people, no matter what age, ability or needs.
Providence Care continues to be a leader in specialized care, in the areas of aging, mental health and rehabilitative services. Our reputation as a compassionate health care provider is based on a strong history of enhancing the quality of life for those we serve whether it is in the hospital, home or in the community.
Providence Manor
Introduction
Every year on December 13 we take the time to honour the contribution of the four original Sisters of Providence who made the journey to Kingston. Responding to an invitation from the Bishop to care for the sick, the elderly, the orphaned and the imprisoned, the Sisters arrived by train in the early morning hours on December 13, 1861. This day is celebrated annually as Founders’ Day.
The Sisters of Providence faced seemingly insurmountable challenges, and always found ways through the challenges to stay true to their mission to enhance quality of life. Now it is our turn, 161 years later, to continue to build on their history by providing high quality, compassionate care to those in our region who need it most.
Leading up to Founders Day, Providence Care’s rich history will be featured and we will reflect on the legacy of the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul, including the history of Providence Manor.
Providence Care has a long history of construction and renovation at our sites, as the needs of our community have evolved and changed over the years. Led by the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul until divestment in 2007, the House of Providence was established in 1861 (later Providence Manor) has seen numerous expansions and additions, including in 1863, 1871, 1892, 1898, 1900, 1911, 1961.
A major renovation was completed in 1990 and the Mother of Sorrows Chapel was restored in 2004.
Read along as we take you back through the years.
The Beginnings: 1800's - Early 1990's
On December 13th, 1861, four Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul came to Kingston from Montreal to build a community that would care both physically and spiritually for the elderly, the poor, and orphaned children. Their first home was at the corner of Ordnance Street and Montreal Street, a site believed to have been an officer’s mess.
At the core of the Sisters’ work was the motto “Cor Caritati Sacrum” or “A Heart Consecrated to Charity.” Within days of their arrival in Kingston, the Sisters had taken orphans into their care and began to visit with female convicts in the penitentiary.
By 1871, due to the enormous success of their initial project, the Sisters of Providence built the “House of Providence” on Montreal Street as a new home for the ill and the elderly.
In the years that followed many additions were made to Providence Manor: in 1892, the St. James’ wing was completed; in 1894 the St. Joseph’s wing was built; in 1898 the Our Mother of Sorrows chapel was constructed; and by 1911 the Jublilee wing was completed.
In 1893, the Sisters of Providence opened a printing office where they later published a magazine called “The Guardian.”
Development and Expansion: 1950's - 1980's
In 1959, the St. James and St. Joseph’s wings were demolished and replaced by a new building. Due to a dramatic increase in the number of extended care patients admitted to Providence Manor, the workers there expressed a desire to make life more homelike for residents.
In celebration of the Sisters’ Centennial anniversary, a renewed St. Joseph’s wing opened at the House of Providence providing new accommodations for the elderly including an auditorium, hospital services, and a cafeteria. In 1979 the Hildegarde Centre opened to provide day programs and care for seniors.
Compassion and Discovery: 1980's - Present Day
1990 marked the official opening of a renewed and enlarged Providence Manor. On August 27, 1991, the Providence Continuing Care Centre was formed in order to facilitate relations between St. Mary’s of the Lake Hospital and Providence Manor, since both were under the sponsorship of the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul.
Today, we continue to embark on the home’s next chapter; designing new spaces to better meet the needs of people as they age. Located at Providence Village, the new home will be nestled in a community atmosphere surrounded by green space.
Planning for a new home has continued throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Like so many other things across the globe, pandemic-related inflation has significantly affected the cost of construction, impacting both our budget and schedule. We are now working closely with the Ministry of Long-Term Care to address the impact on the project. As we continue our discussions, we have had to pause next steps in the planning process.
The vision for the new Providence Manor has not changed. It is planned to be a home we all would want to live in, empowering residents and supporting each persons’ individual needs. Guided by our values, it will be a community of hope, compassion and high quality care.
The new home is planned to provide a welcoming, home-like, resident-centred environment that allows individuals to meet friends and family in comfortable spaces. It is planned to incorporate amenities that will enrich residents’ quality of life and provide an engaging environment for them and their loved ones. Its design will result in a long-term care home that will serve the needs of our community well into the future.
