Catholic Driving Tour

Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee

Founded in 1915, Sacred Heart Hospital was the joint effort of a group of local citizens and the Daughters of Charity.

The Daughters of Charity is a religious community of women founded by Elizabeth Bailey Seton in 1633 and dedicated to caring for the poor and sick.

The Daughters of Charity were recognized and praised for their care for patients during the Civil War. Their reputation for heroism during this difficult time in U.S. history provided them with invitations from cities like Pensacola in need of a full service hospital.

Doors to this oldest Catholic Hospital in Florida opened on September 1, 1915. Known by the name Pensacola Hospital until 1948, its name was officially changed to Sacred Heart Hospital.

The hospital eliminated the need to travel to New Orleans or Mobile for medical care and served as a training school for nurses.

In 1965, Sacred Heart Hospital moved to Ninth Avenue to accommodate Pensacola's growing population. The old Sacred Heart Hospital facility now houses local business and private offices.

Written by Katheryn Jones, Student, Pensacola Catholic High School, 2011.

Copyright Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, 2011.