100 Year Birthday!
St. Mary’s Medical Center is celebrating its 100th birthday this year, with Rev. Greg Creasy planning events throughout 2024 to create more awareness of this milestone. One new conversation starter is an 80-foot-long display of photos, comments, and artwork running from the main lobby to the outpatient center. Dedicated on Mar. 19, the century-long timeline traces the faith journey of the Catholic nuns who started the hospital in 1924.
“I noticed there’s a growing interest in the Centennial, which is why I wanted to do it over a year-long time frame,” says Creasy, SMMC’s Director of Spiritual Care and Mission. “More and more people are interested in the history and story of the Pallottine Sisters, the hospital’s founding, and its history through the years.”
It’s a rich history that spans such important – and tragic – events as the 1937 Ohio River flood, the Silver Bridge collapse in 1967, the 1970 Marshall University plane crash, and the Buffalo Creek flood that followed in 1972. Through it all, the sisters have shown a devotion to the hospital and area residents, along with a spirit of caring, said the former Baptist pastor.
“They have been examples of inclusion and not discriminating against others,” Creasy said. “I’ve never heard the sisters put a label on anyone and have never seen them treat anyone with anything other than dignity and respect.”
The observance began last Nov. 6 with Huntington Mayor Steve Williams’ proclamation of Pallottine Missionary Sisters Day, when he also dubbed the surrounding streets Pallottine Square.
In late January, the hospital released a set of books to commemorate the Centennial.
The St. Mary’s Story was written by former newspaper editor James Casto. Praying the CHRIST Values of St. Mary’s is a devotional/prayer book by Creasy. The acronym stands for compassion, hospitality, reverence, interdependence, stewardship, and trust. The set costs $30 and is available at the hospital’s gift shop.
On June 1, SMMC will host a children’s carnival and family health fair, but whatever the event, Creasy said the sacrifices of the sisters should always come to mind. He said everything about the Centennial is aimed at challenging others with the question: How will you be a part of this work for the future?
“For many, this was their life’s calling,” Creasy said. “They began their work here and they finished their work here. We need to maintain a sense of who we are in light of what the sisters have given us. We have to be hope to every person who walks through the door.”
The hospital has such deep roots in a faith tradition that the spiritual care leader often faces skepticism that it will continue under corporate ownership. Creasy points to the sales agreement, which stipulates St. Mary’s name will remain, along with crosses, crucifixes, and Bibles in the rooms.
“We have a lot of work to do, but we do it one day at a time,” he said. “I tell people, ‘We’re still St. Mary’s. That hasn’t changed.’”
