The former St. Joseph Hospital, currently called UPMC Pinnacle Lancaster, is closing after 135 years in Lancaster city.
The hospital’s current owner, Harrisburg-based UPMC Pinnacle, announced the planned closure Tuesday afternoon, just 17 months after acquiring the 214-bed hospital at 250 College Avenue in Lancaster city.
HEATHER STAUFFER | Staff WriterCheck out some vintage photos from St. Joseph's, including 1982 photo of Bob Hope with some of the nuns.
A look back at St. Joseph Hospital
The earliest part of the original St. Joseph Hospital was built in 1877 as a men's hospital. Six years later, the Sisters of St. Francis converted this building (foreground) into St. Joseph.
- ##LNP Archived Photo##
St. Joseph Hospital's original building along College Avenue is demolished in 1959. Part of the newer building is visible behind it.
- ##LNP Archived Photo##
New Era Comedian Bob Hope poses for a photo with some of the nuns from St. Joseph’s Hospital following a benefit performance for the hospital on April 16, 1982. ( PHOTO FROM LNP ARCHIVES APRIL 17, 18 1982 )
- Handout
The former St. Joseph Hospital, shown in this 2000 file photo.
- LNP File Photo
This is St. Joseph Hospital chapel. If the planned sale is completed, the hospital name would change and its connection to the Catholic Church would end.
- Hertzler
Bishop George L. Leech of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg presided over the ground-breaking of St. Joseph Hospital's Atlee Memorial wing in 1952.
- ##LNP Archived Photo##
Varied perspectives of Lancaster Regional Medical Center.
- Marschka
UPMC Pinnacle Lancaster is the oldest of the four general hospitals in Lancaster County, founded by The Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia in 1883.
"It's going to be hard."
It was a shock for staff members, she said. There had been rumors outside the hospital for months that it was closing, but the administration had said nothing, Registered nurse Linda Franzese said.
AD CRABLE | Staff WriterHospital employees were informed that some will be offered placement at other UPMC Pinnacle facilities and that administrators would keep an eye out for positions with other systems.
“The closing of an institution that has been part of the city’s fabric for 130 years is sad,” said Lancaster Mayor Danene Sorace.
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