![Image](/images/Headers/CSJWebHeader_History.png)
Our History
The Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto (CSJ) were founded around 1650 in Le Puy-en-Velay, France, by six women and a Jesuit priest, Jean-Pierre Médaille. All the works of mercy were to be done on behalf of the dear neighbour.
From the beginning, our religious life included service to and with people who were sick, poor and vulnerable.
Following the end of the French Revolution in 1807, Mother St. John Fontbonne responded to the call to establish a new religious community in the spirit of the Sisters of St. Joseph. By addressing the great social needs of the day, our congregation flourished from its central administration in Lyon. In 1836, six Sisters travelled from France to St. Louis, Missouri to teach poor and deaf children.
![Image](/images/Elements/Pages/CSJWeb_History.jpg)
On October 7, 1851, these four Sisters arrived in Toronto to care for orphans, the sick and poor of the city. From this beginning, we went on to establish ministries in education, social services, and health care. Over the years, we have continued to set up facilities to meet newly recognized needs.
Today, our ministries have evolved from larger institutions to forms of ministry that relate more closely to the “dear neighbour.”
2022
Fontbonne Ministries Transferred to CHSO
On February 3, the Sisters transfer sponsorship of Fontbonne Ministries to Catholic Health Sponsors of Ontario.
2022
2021
170th Anniversary
Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto celebrate their 170th anniversary as the first Canadian foundation of Sisters of St. Joseph.
2017
Blue Community
![](/images/Timeline/2017_FederationBlueCommunity.jpg)
2017
2015
CSJ Project Hope
2015
Collaborative Network to End Exploitation
![](/images/Timeline/2015_CNEE.jpg)
2015
2013
2 O’Connor Drive Residence, Toronto
![](/images/Timeline/2013_2OConnor.jpg)
2012
Social Justice Ministry
Ministry for Social Justice, Peace, and Creation Care is supported with an office which identifies key concerns and seeks opportunities for collaboration in a faith-based way that includes education, advocacy, prayer and action.
2012
2010
The Sisters of St. Joseph in Ministry, 2010
The Sisters of St. Joseph came to Toronto in 1851, to help those in need: people who were sick, poor, at-risk and vulnerable. Their ministries are carried out today, in rich and varied ways. This video is a sampling and a celebration of just some of their accomplishments and their spirit, as Sisters continue their good works into the 21st century and beyond.
© 2010 Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto
2007
2007
2005
Faith Connections
![](/images/Timeline/2005_FaithConnections.jpg)
2003
Joint Apostolic Ministry
![](/images/Timeline/2003_BecomingNeighbours.jpg)
2003
2002
Pope John Paul II Visit to Toronto
![](/images/Timeline/2002_PopeVisit.jpg)
2000
Fontbonne Ministries
![](/images/Timeline/2000_FontbonneMinistries.jpg)
2000
1998
The Furniture Bank, Toronto
![](/images/Timeline/1998_FurnitureBank.jpg)
1997
Women's Drop In
![](/images/Timeline/1997_WomenDropIn.jpg)
1997
1989
Herron Place Refugee Centre
![](/images/Timeline/1989_HerronPlaceRefugeeCentre.jpg)
1986
St. Joseph's Centre, Morrow Park
![](/images/Timeline/1986_StJosephCentreStaff.jpg)
1986
1985
Nazareth House
![](/images/Timeline/1985_JuneDwyer.jpg)
1982
Daily Bread Food Bank
![](/images/Timeline/1982_SrTrudyCortens1985.jpg)
1982
1982
CSJ Associates Program
![](/images/Timeline/1982_Associates.jpg)
1980
St. Joseph's Health Centre, Toronto
![](/images/Timeline/1980_SJHCAerial.jpg)
1980
1979
Via Veritas Vita
![](/images/Timeline/1979_NelsonMaryRegis.jpg)
1978
Matt Talbot House
![](/images/Timeline/1978_MattTalbotHouses.jpg)
1978
1976
New Beginnings
![](/images/Timeline/1976_NewBeginnings.jpg)
1974
St. Michael's Homes
![](/images/Timeline/1974_StMichaelsHomes.jpg)
1974
1970
Parish Life
![](/images/Timeline/1970_SrEnidSelke.jpg)
1968
Missions Near and Far
![](/images/Timeline/1968_Guatemala.jpg)
1968
1962
St. Joseph's Catholic High School, Oshawa, Ontario
![](/images/Timeline/1962_PaulDwyer1993Reunion.jpg)
1961
St. Joseph's College School
![](/images/Timeline/1961_74Wellesley.jpg)
1961
1960
St. Joseph's Morrow Park High School
![](/images/Timeline/1960_MorrowPark.jpg)
1949
St. Joseph's High School, Islington, Ontario
![](/images/Timeline/1949_1956StudentCouncil.jpg)
1949
1925
Our Lady of Mercy Hospital
![](/images/Timeline/1925_OLM.jpg)
1923
St. Joseph's Hospital, Winnipeg, Manitoba
![](/images/Timeline/1923_WGPGradNurses.jpg)
1923
1921
St. Joseph's Hospital
![](/images/Timeline/1921_SJH1931Wing.jpg)
1913
St. Joseph's General Hospital, Comox
![](/images/Timeline/1913_ComoxHouse.jpg)
1913
1916
Western Teaching Missions
![](/images/Timeline/1916_PrinceRupertBC.jpg)
1911
St. Joseph's College, Toronto
![](/images/Timeline/1911_110PH40.jpg)
1911
1892
St. Michael's Hospital
![](/images/Timeline/1892_OriginalArchives.jpg)
1863
St. Joseph’s Motherhouse, 89 Wellesley Street West, Toronto
![](/images/Timeline/1863_2ndMotherhouse.jpg)
1863
1857
House of Providence
![](/images/Timeline/1857_HouseProvidenceSrOsmond.jpg)
1852
Education Beginnings
![](/images/Timeline/1852_StPatricksSchool.jpg)
1852
1854
First Motherhouse and St. Joseph’s Academy, Toronto
![](/images/Timeline/1854_WhiteHouse.jpg)
1852
Hamilton Mission
Six months after their arrival to Toronto, Mother Martha von Bunning and two novices, established St. Mary’s Convent and Orphanage in Hamilton, their first mission outside of the city. Other Sisters of St. Joseph Congregations were founded from Toronto missions, first in Hamilton (1852), London (1868) and then Port Arthur (1881). Learn More
1852
1851
Arrival in Toronto
On October 7, 1851, Mother Delphine Fontbonne and three other Sisters arrived in Toronto. They took charge of an already established orphanage on Nelson Street (Lower Jarvis) and cared for the orphans, the sick, the poor and vulnerable. Learn More
1850
Bishop de Charbonnel
While visiting Philadelphia in 1851, Toronto Catholic Bishop Armand de Charbonnel learned of the good works carried out by the Sisters of St. Joseph and Mother Delphine's role as superior of the orphanage while visiting Philadelphia in 1851. With connections to Lyon and the Fonbonne family, de Charbonnel asked that Mother Delphine be transferred to Toronto and establish a mission in Canada. The Superiors in St. Louis agreed to this request. Learn More
1850
1847
Toronto's Famine Irish
![](/images/Timeline/1847_HeritageTorontoPlaque.jpg)
1836
Arrival in North America
![](/images/Timeline/1836_CarondoletCabin.jpg)
1836
1807
Lyon, France
![](/images/Timeline/1807_MotherStJohn.jpg)
1789
French Revolution
![](/images/Timeline/1789_FrenchRevolution.jpg)
1789
1650
Foundation
Tradition gives October 15, 1650, as the date on which Bishop de Maupas gave the congregation its official existence and the name of St. Joseph. During the next 150 years, the congregation grew and spread throughout the neighbouring dioceses.