Community History Statement
In 1886 the Sisters of St. Francis helped establish St. Francis Mission on the Rosebud Reservation and in 1888 Holy Rosary Mission on the Pine Ridge Reservation, in South Dakota. Other early establishments include St. Mary’s Academy in O’Neill, Nebraska in 1900; St. Joseph Hospital in Minot, North Dakota in 1901; St. Agnes Academy in 1908 and St. Joseph Hospital in 1911 in Alliance, Nebraska. The region was established as the midwestern province in 1939 with the purchase of what came to be Marycrest in Denver, Colorado. In 2022, due to the diminishing number of sisters in the region it was decided to change from province to community.
Archives Mission Statement
The Sacred Heart Community Archives is a repository to collect, preserve, and make available documents, photographs, artifacts and ephemera related to the Sisters of St. Francis Sacred Heart Community. The Sisters of St. Francis have a strong history of service through healthcare, education, social work, parish ministry, other ministries/professions (accounting, daycare, care of elderly parents), and retired sisters. Sisters of this community have had a presence in Colorado, Nebraska, North and South Dakota, Minnesota, New Mexico and Mexico. The Archives is committed to the Sisters of St. Francis and its community. It also seeks to cooperate with the other provinces to promote the identification and use of all records important to the understanding of the Sisters of St. Francis history and present nature.
Role
An archival program should function in a twofold manner. First and foremost, the Archives is an arm of the administrative body. Thus, its primary function is to serve the needs of the ongoing activity of that body by preserving and making readily available the materials comprising its permanent and temporary record. The second or research function of the Archives arises from the value of a document which often goes beyond the original purpose for which it was created.
Collection Policy
The Archives is the official depository for all documents and materials of any form, made or received by the Community in the pursuit of its religious and legal obligations and in the transaction of its business. These documents, etc. reflect the internal development by the Community, the conduct of its affairs as a corporation, the individual and personal lives of its members and those served through the various forms of ministry. Accounts of the functions, policies, decisions, procedures, operations, and other activities which provide information about the life of the Community shall be deposited in the Archives. These include not only the official papers of past administrative officers, but also material reflective of the life and work of the Sisters as individuals. The Archives exists primarily to collect materials about, create access to, and support research about the history of the Community.
Hours
The Archives is available by appointment only and can be available Monday through Friday 9am to noon and 1-4pm, except holidays and times of congregational meetings.
Archival Reference Request Form
Should you have a special request, comment, or question for the Archives, please fill out the following request form or call 303-458-6270 x112: