Marillac history

In 1915, members of the order of the Daughters of Charity opened the DePaul Day Nursery and Settlement House to care for the children of neighborhood women who joined the workforce while their husbands served in World War I.

Years later, a larger settlement house was built and by 1924, the rooftop playground was constructed so that the children could play outdoors.

By 1938, two major brick sections of the center were built.

In 1947 the work continued under a new name, Marillac Social Center, called Marillac House in honor of St Louise de Marillac.

The Daughters of Charity first came to San Antonio in September of 1958 at the request of Father Raymond Francis O’Brien to minister to the people of El Carmen, St Leo, St Anthony, and San Francisco de la Espada parishes.

In 1959, a two room house was moved to the El Carmen property, renovated and divided into five rooms by the men of the parish.

A Daughter of Charity Nurse Midwife delivered the first baby in the clinic in June of 1964.

By the clinic’s last delivery in January of 1969 a total of 151 babies had taken their first breaths at the El Carmen Clinic.

Also in 1972, the settlement house merged with St Vincent Infant Asylum, a 100-year-old residential facility for orphaned children.

In 1975, the first Infant/Toddler Daycare Program in the city of Chicago was established.

In 1980, the renovation of the chapel created five new preschool classrooms and the Outreach Program was established.

In 1986, the Young Expressions began providing art therapy for the children.

Marillac opened its doors on May 2, 1988 and began providing medical care to patients.

The first combined lay and religious Health Services Corporation Board was appointed in 1994.

In 2000, the Corporation changed its name to the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health System.

In 2011, the sisters transferred sponsorship of SCL Health to Leaven Ministries, a new entity (public juridic person) recognized by the Catholic Church.