The original wing of the building, known as the 1932 wing, was designed by Architect Colin Drever and the contractor was Angus Robertson of Montreal. This is a photograph of the workmen, hired by Angus Robertson, who actually built the Motherhouse. The workmen are standing in front of what we know as the north half of the former PSC wing. The photograph was taken on November 9th, 1931 while the building was still under construction. This print...

In June 1930 the Sisters of Providence purchased Heathfield, an approximately 30 acre property just outside the western limits of the city of Kingston, from Mr. H. Jennings. The property was surveyed on September 25th, 1930 and the site plan was completed on October 10th, 1930. The plan shows the original gatehouse that stood near the entrance on Princess Street. You can see the driveway had only one loop and shows the original residence, known...

Trees and barn covered in ice on the Motherhouse property, Kingston Ontario, January 1998.An office is converted into an emergency bedroom at Providence Motherhouse, Kingston, Ontario, in January 1998.This January is the 25th anniversary of the Ice Storm of 1998. During the aftermath of the storm, Providence Motherhouse offered shelter to members of the public and Sisters who stayed for several days between January 8th and January 17th. Let’s...

The original Holy Family Hospital, later known as Marian Villa. This house served as the hospital from 1947 to 1954.BY VERONICA STIENBURG, ARCHIVIST The Sisters of Providence opened Holy Family Hospital for the chronically ill in 1947 in an old house in the Fraserview area of Vancouver, British Columbia. The house later known as Marian Villa served as the hospital and convent for 7 years, before a purpose-built hospital opened in March 1954....

Coal truck delivering coal to Providence Motherhouse in ca.1943. (If you don’t recognize this view of the front door, it’s because we are used to seeing the Administration wing to the east of the main entrance, but it wasn’t built until 1964.)BY VERONICA STIENBURG, ARCHIVIST As the weather gets colder, we all appreciate when the heat is turned on at the Motherhouse. Have you ever thought about how Providence Motherhouse was originally heated?...

Queen Elizabeth II receives flowers from seven-year-olds Debbie of Sunnyside Children’s Centre and Neil of Heathfield Orphanage (operated by the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul) on June 28, 1959 at Richardson Stadium, Kingston ON. Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh and Kingston Mayor William T. Mills look on. Photograph originally published on the cover of the Kingston Whig-Standard, June 29, 1959.BY VERONICA STIENBURG, ARCHIVIST Upon...

When Sister Mary Francis of Assisi retired after 49 years of teaching, William Davis, then Minister of Education, wrote to her.

In the late 1840s the property we know as Heathfield was compiled when three smaller parcels of land, were purchased by Alex Forbes to create a 30 acre lot.

The Motherhouse and its grounds have changed a lot since 1932, but are still very recognizable! These four photographs show how the landscaping in front of the Motherhouse and the Motherhouse itself have changed over the years.

Sr. M. Henry, Sr. M. Juliana, and Sr. Mary Seven Dolors McMahon.BY VERONICA STIENBURG, ARCHIVIST Numerous siblings have entered the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul over the years. Religious life was not the right fit for some of these women, but many sets of siblings did live out their lives together as Sisters of Providence, including 7 sets of three siblings: the Byrne sisters, the Mangan sisters, the Corrigan sisters, the...

BY VERONICA STIENBURG, ARCHIVIST The Motherhouse grounds have changed a lot over the years, and yet stayed the same in other ways. These two photographs show how the Motherhouse grounds, from the Main Entrance to Princess Street, have changed over a span of 62 years. The trees have grown A LOT, and the birdbath has been replaced by the Peace Pole, but the basic design remains the same!The photograph above was taken in 1955 and the photograph...