Subseries 05 - Early Histories

32 photograph : b&w
4 photographs : col.
17 photographs: col. negatives
6 cm of textual records

The Sisters of St. Joseph of London were originally a branch of the Toronto order, the Sisters having been sent to London from Toronto in 1868. The Sisters of St. Joseph in the London diocese became an autonomous congregation on December 18, 1870. The material in this subseries focuses on the early history of the Sisters of St. Joseph in London, especially the foundation and the first Sisters who came to London, as well as the activities of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto during that time. There are both original documents and copies.

There is material concerning other branch foundations of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto, such as a history of Toronto’s first branch foundation, Amherstberg, written by Sister Veronica O’Reilly. There is also correspondence from the late 1800s concerning the establishment of a branch of the Toronto order in Sandwich, Ontario. Other correspondence from this period concerns the canonical transfer of the Sisters of St. Joseph in London from the Archdiocese of Toronto to the diocese of London. The Act of Incorporation was finalized in 1871. Copies of the legislation and the 1915 and 1938 amendments are present. An approbation decree and pontifical rights were sent from the Holy See which amended the Sisters’ constitution. The decree and correspondence about it are also included.

In 1969, members of the London congregation were researching the first Sisters who came to London from Toronto. There is correspondence about this research, biographies of these Sisters, as well as photocopies of their Acts of Profession and Acts of Reception. There are photographs of Mother Antoinette Mchlonnell, Mother de Chantel, and Sister Teresa Brennan. These here Sisters came to London but returned to Toronto. An account from lay Sister Appolonia Nolan about her time in London, transcribed by Sister M. Josephine of Toronto, and a copy of her photograph are also present. Lay Sisters took the vows of the order but were not obligated to follow all the practices of the congregation.

The Sisters of St. Joseph in the diocese of London, since their founding, have had several motherhouses from they have operated orphanages, homes for the aged, and schools. A photo album with postcards and original and copy photographs of these buildings from 1868 to 2007 is present. Some of the postcards are from the early 1900s, and one is addressed to Reverend Mother Ignatia. It includes material on Kent Street, Mount Hope (later House of Providence), Mount St. Joseph, Sacred Heart Convent, and the Windermere Road residence.

There is also a portrait of Mrs. O’Brien, a benefactor of the community; photographic negatives of historic sites in London, Ontario; the Catholic Almanac of Ontario for 1901; correspondence from an external researcher; and a guide for how many Masses are to be said for specific events, such as jubilees or the death of a Sister or priest.