Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy
The Archives of the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy (OLM) contains the records and materials which pertain to the origin, history, spirit, growth and development of the OLM Community from its beginnings to the present. Established by the General Superior and Council the Archives functions directly under the OLM General Secretary. From 1829 to 1989 the records, were located in her office.
In August 1989 Sister M. Bridget Sullivan, OLM General Superior, relocated theArchives to two rooms made available during a renovation of the Motherhouse and appointed Sr. Anne Francis Campbell OLM Archivist. With the assistance of several OLMs the original records were arranged according to archival principles and placed in archival boxes on newly purchased shelves and cabinets.
Since 1989 the Archives received and processed the records of those missions and institutions which the OLM Community began, as well as those continued or from which the OLM Community withdrew. Information and artifacts from the archives were used in the creation of a Heritage Room during the administration of Sr. Bridget Sullivan. Researchers have used the records of OLM membership and the schools, orphanage, hospitals, and missions of the OLM Community in their search for information. In 2021 the archives were digitized. In June of 2022, following the sale of the Motherhouse property, the OLM Archives were transferred to the archives of the Diocese of Charleston, South Carolina. The Diocesan Archivists are the custodians of our archives.
The items below are the submissions selected by the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy archivist for the History of the Sisters of Charity Federation Communities in Objects collaborative exhibit:
Engraved on Cornerstone: This corner stone of the House of our Lady of Mercy in the City of Charleston So. Ca. laid on the Feast of the Annunciation March 25th 1840 by the Right Rev. John England, D.D, Bishop of Charleston. Building Committee: Alexander McDonald: Charles Kanapaux & John Hunter; Patrick O'Donnell, Contractor; Patrick Noble; Governor of South Carolina; Henry L. Pinckney, Mayor of Charleson; Gregory XVI. Being Pope; Martin Van Buren, President, U.S.A. Built by charitable contributions
The building served as a Motherhouse for the Congregation and an orphanage.
Oyster ladle engraved with the initials 'DJQ May 3, 1891.
Daniel J. Quigley was ordained May 3, 1866. The ladle was a gift from the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy at St. Mary's School, upon the occasion of his 25th anniversary of ordination.
Click on the image to learn more about each object's significance.
