Since 1903, caring for Springfield's elderly at St. Joseph's Home has been an important ministry of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Immaculate Conception.

Mission
To provide the aging and their families with compassionate and individualized care in a respectful environment that welcomes and supports each resident's religious beliefs and reflects the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi.

History
St. Joseph's Home of Springfield has operated under the Sisters' continuous ownership and management for 104 years.

Mother Mary Pacifica Forrestal established the Order of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Immaculate Conception in 1891. Caring for the elderly has always been a priority for the Sisters, who opened St. Joseph's Home of Peoria in 1892.

Just after the turn of the century, Thomas Brady of Springfield left a bequest of $17,000 to the Diocese of Alton for the establishment of a home for the elderly. Bishop James J. Ryan invited the Sisters of St. Francis of the Immaculate Conception to come to Springfield and open a home for the aging similar to their Peoria home.

The Sisters purchased the Wabash Railroad Hospital, formerly the home of James Cook Conkling, at Sixth and Lawrence Streets, and opened the first St. Joseph's Home of Springfield in 1903. Demand for rooms quickly exceeded available space. In 1908, the Sisters purchased the Workman home next door and connected the two buildings.

By 1924, a larger facility again was needed. A 43-acre farm was purchased on what was then Route 66 in Southern View. Construction on the new St. Joseph's Home was completed in 1925. The St. Joseph's Home properties at Sixth and Lawrence were transferred to the diocese to become the site of the new Diocese of Springfield cathedral.

In 1967, St. Joseph's Home was licensed for both sheltered care and intermediate care. The infirmary (the "Round Building") was built and professional nurses were employed.

Today, the Home is licensed for 46 sheltered care and 60 nursing care residents. The Sisters' and staff's devotion to the dignity of life in all its stages is evident in the quality of care and attention to physical, spiritual, social and emotional needs.