Fondo 40 - Barrhead, AB – St. Joseph’s Hospital series

These records were accumulated by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Pembroke.

Original order was maintained.

The records are located at The Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada Archives.

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St. Joseph’s Hospital, Barrhead, Alberta 1947 – 1978

Barrhead is a prairie town located 180 kilometers northwest of Edmonton. A few settlers had come in 1906 to what was later known as Paddle River. In 1912, a group of Scottish people came to settle nearby. The rapid increase in population in the district led to hospital care being delivered in 1934 by Dr. Yandeau in a small building he erected.
The Sisters of Charity of Halifax, Nova Scotia, took over the administration of this hospital, then known as St. Elizabeth Hospital, travelling several days a week. In 1940, the Religious Hospitallers of St. Joseph assumed charge of what in future was called St. Joseph’s Hospital.

Rev. Father Poirier, pastor of Barrhead, requested Mother Magdalen, then Superior General, to send Sisters from Pembroke to administer and staff the hospital. On January 7, 1947, Sisters Clare O’Gorman, Othelia, Monica Owens, Mary Joseph Poirier, Edith Tallon, and Mary Varney left for Barrhead.

The facilities existed for 30 beds and eight bassinettes, with equipment and staff very limited and poverty much in evidence. Two Sister nurses, with a few personnel who had been well-trained on the job, kept the place operational, serving a large population. There was no resident chaplain, but Father Poirier served as hospital chaplain.

Among the problems facing the Sisters were the language difficulties of the staff. Working hours were long and strenuous. Essential equipment was lacking, thus making the workload more difficult. The Sisters found it difficult to arrange for time off to make the annual retreat. Vacation was of two-week duration every three years. Demands on the Sisters were indeed very great, but they responded joyfully, and in 1955, to their satisfaction, an additional wing was added giving the hospital a capacity of 60 beds. This undertaking was begun by Sister St. Michael and completed by Sister Mary Legris. The official opening took place on November 2, 1955.

As the hospital increased in size, requirements for additional personnel and medical staff became evident. With the discovery of oil at Swan Falls and Virginia Hill, the population of Barrhead grew even more rapidly, necessitating the building of a 20-bed wing, bringing the capacity of the hospital to 80 beds. This new wing opened in 1961.

With the advent of Vatican II and the renewal in religious life, the Sisters relinquished key positions in administration and management. A lay administrator and business manager were appointed. Now that lay people filled the positions as department heads, these Sisters were able to work directly with people.

When the Sisters of St. Joseph took over the operation of the hospital in 1947, Sister Clare was the first administrator, Sister Edith, the dietician, Sister Mary George, the X-ray technician, Sister Emma worked in the general office, and Sister Monica and Sister Mary Joseph worked as nurses, alternating day and night duty. Sister Othelia was in charge of laundry. Out of this nucleus and the pioneering spirit of the first Sisters, there developed the superb modern complex that exists today.

It would be difficult to relate the story of the many sacrifices made by the pioneer Sisters and their successors. Fulfilling the demands of the circumstances of hospital operation at that time was not always easy, but with the support of community members, they persevered and achieved success to a remarkable degree. The very difficulties they faced together served to unite them in the close bonds of friendship and community.

Humour and wit were present and enjoyed in life at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Barrhead, through the years. Many interesting stories have been told of the early days, especially of travel by wagon, tractor, boat, car, and basket over the Athabasca River, to attend Mass in a mission chapel.

Within three years of the purchase of the hospital, Sister Clare sent to Sister Borden the last payment of interest in full of the principal. This was made possible by the hard work of the Sisters.

The Sisters who directed the activities of the community during 25 years of apostolate were Sisters Clare, St. Michael, Elizabeth, Magdalen, St. Paul, Mary Denis, Teresa Rice, and Imelda Duquette.

The hospital was sold to the Alberta government in 1974. In 1977, it was mutually agreed by Sister Maria Mousseau, General Superior, that it was time to withdraw completely from Barrhead. Thus ended, on March 30, 1978, 30 years of service by the Sisters of St. Joseph in Barrhead, Alberta.

C. Lacroix, St. Joseph’s Hospital, Barrhead, Alberta 1947 – 1978, unpublished manuscript.