Salvation Army Grace Hospital Fonds - 1910-1995 -- 8.65 m of text

The predecessor of the Salvation Army Grace Hospital, a small home caring for unwed mothers, opened in 1910 at 11th Avenue and 1st Street SE. Demand grew quickly, and in 1924 the Salvation Army bought the former Bishop Pinkham College at 8th Avenue and 13th Street NW in order to establish a maternity hospital. In 1926 the Grace Maternity Hospital and Girls Home opened. Its focus was maternity care for unwed mothers, but the quality of care and the growth of Calgary led to demand from married women as well.

As demand grew, the hospital became overcrowded, and in 1950 plans were made to expand. Construction began in October 1952, and the new West wing opened in 1954, allowing the hospital to provide additional services to the public and creating space for staff and administrative living quarters.

The next major renovation of the hospital, the demolition of the original building and the construction of a new south wing, began in 1965 and was completed in 1967. This raised the number of beds to 100, and allowed the hospital to offer a broader range of women’s health programs. When construction of the South wing began, the unwed mother program was moved, and in 1966 the program ended.

Along with these physical changes, administration at the Grace Hospital also changed. At first most administrative positions were filled by Salvation Army officers, but as the hospital grew and Salvation Army membership dwindled, many of these positions were filled by members of the public. However, there were always high-ranking Salvation Army officers on the Board of Directors, and the Salvation Army had the final word about selecting the Executive Director, who was always a member of the Army.

In the 1980s the hospital underwent renovations and program changes. The Women’s Health Unit opened in 1986 and the hospital’s name changed to the Salvation Army Grace Hospital Women’s Health Centre. The hospital faced possible closure in the mid-1980s, but avoided it through downsizing measures.

In 1995 the Calgary Regional Health Authority assumed responsibility for the Grace Hospital. The maternity program ended January 31, 1995, and the hospital closed in March 1996. The Women’s Health Resources Program, including Women’s Health Education, Breast Health and the Colposcopy program, were transferred to Foothills Hospital, where they are administered by a committee appointed by the Salvation Army. The Grace Hospital buildings and land remain the property of the Salvation Army.

Organization and Arrangement: This fonds is organized into three series, one of which is divided into three sub-series:

Board Records 1964-1995

Administrative Records:
Administration 1965-1994
Patient Care Services (PCS) 1970-1994
Territorial Headquarters (THQ) 1978-1994

Medical Records:

Admission Registers 1910 - 1917

Admitting Cards 1930 - 1956

Birth Record Ledgers 1981 - 1984

Restrictions: Restrictions are noted within series and file descriptions.

Accruals: No accruals are expected to this fonds.