Memorial Mission Hospital history

In 1899, a small group of widows in New York, inspired by the work of a group in France called Women of Calvary, began caring for destitute women with terminal diseases.

The Sisters of Mercy arrived in Asheville to found a hospital in 1900 – just 15 years after Mission Hospital was founded.

1910—Bath hospital opens with Doctor Douglas Smith and Doctor Henry J. Wynkoop as chief surgeons.

1912—School of nursing founded.

The temporary hospital opened on May 15, 1920.

Fund-raising activities during these years involved the May Day – held every year since 1921 on Empire Day, May 24 – tag days and raffles, the annual bazaar and the Strawberry Festival.

The Auxiliary even did catering for social groups in the town, bought dishes that were rented out and in 1924, together with Hospital Board, raffled off a Ford Coupe.

1935—Bath Memorial Hospital opens in a renovated 3-story building, funded by a local bond issue and a Federal grant.

At the beginning of World War II, in 1941, Asheville had five general hospitals: Mission, St Joseph’s, Biltmore, Aston Park and Norburn.

In 1947, the Asheville Hospital Association formally proposed a hospital merger in order to combine their assets to better serve the people of Asheville.

In 1948 a Junior Auxiliary was formed, with members younger in age and with some different ideas.

They worked together on hospital sewing needs and a giant card party in 1950.

With federal funds and major fundraising, in 1951, ground was broken for Memorial Mission Hospital, named to honor veterans of all wars.

1960—A new, modern hospital opens with $1.6 million raised by area citizens, the former Davenport Home for Female Orphan Children and the Federal government.

In 1961 the first ever ‘in hospital service’ began with the installation of a cigarette machine! Proceeds averaged six dollars a month with sales averaging three packs a day.

1965 saw the opening of the new hospital and the demise of the original Hospital Auxiliary.

1966—An Intensive Care Unit is established.

1972—A physical therapy department opens.

Cigarette sales stopped in 1976.

1977—Construction begins on the Keuka Medical Arts Building.

Calvary Hospital has occupied its present site at 1740 Eastchester Road in the Bronx since 1978.

1990—The Fred & Harriett Taylor Health Center opens to provide long-term care and rehabilitation.

Mission Hospital as it is today was formed when St Joseph's Hospital and Memorial Mission Medical Center began an organizational partnership in 1996.

2008—The Meade Rehabilitation Center opens to provide physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy services.

2011—Davenport & Taylor becomes part of Arnot Health.