History of Roxborough Memorial Hospital

Opened on June 7th, 1890 under the name of "The Memorial Hospital and House of Mercy of Saint Timothy's Church, Roxborough". By 1896, the name was changed to St. Timothy's Memorial Hospital and House of Mercy, Roxborough" and in 1920 to "The Memorial Hospital, Roxborough". Today, we simply know the hospital by its name, "Roxborough Memorial Hospital".

This hospital has a history within our family. Many of us were born here, Uncles Billy, Jack, Gene and all my siblings including myself to name a few. My great grandmother Mary (Keller) Gallagher and grandmother Anna Marie (McCaffery) Gallagher worked here. In addition, some of us died here such as my great grandmothers Agnes (Bridget Boland) McCaffery, Mary (Keller) Gallagher up to and including my great Aunt Anna Marie (Gallagher) McCaffery.

So it not surprising that I would include the hospital's history in my research.

The hospital was built on land donated by Mr & Mrs. Vaughan Merrick with 10,000 dollars in funds as a tribute to their parents. In the beginning, the hospital was under the control of St Timothy's P. E. Church's rector, churchwardens and vestrymen until 1920 when financial distress necessitated the church cut its ties with the hospital.

Over the years, the hospital expanded its buildings to include a laundry, nurses' residences and steam-heating plant in 1891. In 1894, the Eugene Nugent Ward was opened. In 1896, the Merrick Building was opened. The two buildings then were connected in 1897. The Percival Roberts Ward was opened in 1901. By 1905, the hospital had added a laboratory and isolation ward. In 1914, the hospital began delivering babies in its new maternity ward. From 1890 to 1916, ambulances were horse-drawn carriages. Another extension in the Percival Roberts Ward was completed in 1928.

Today, the above buildings and extensions cease to exist and have been replaced with new structures. Whereas, the corners of Jamestown & Ridge Avenues thu to Houghton Street were once filled with houses are now replaced with physician offices and a parking lot.

The hospital is no longer independently owned and operated but is part of a nation-wide corporation. Rumor has it the hospital is now up for sale.