Saying goodbye to St. Joseph’s: Staffers at Minnesota’s oldest hospital hope history of serving people in need will continue
More than 100 people, many of whom had just finished their last day at the hospital, gathered around the statue of St. Joseph for a vigil Wednesday night, Dec. 30.
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Matt Sepic / MPR News |
10:32 am, Dec. 31, 2020
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Employees gather for a vigil outside of St. Joseph's Hospital in downtown St. Paul on Wednesday, Dec. 30. Matt Sepic / MPR News
ST. PAUL -- The end of 2020 brings with it the end of Minnesota’s oldest hospital. Roman Catholic nuns founded St. Joseph’s in downtown St. Paul in 1853. But after 167 years, Fairview Health Services is shutting it down amid financial pressure. Plans call for the building to become a community wellness hub focused on social services and preventative care. Many who worked at St. Joseph’s say they’re sad to see it go.