Our History

St. Luke Hospital and Living Center History

The first hospital was opened in 1911 in Marion, Ks. Marion Hospital had six private rooms for patients, a dining room, rooms for nurses, an operating and sterilizing room two offices and an x-ray machine. Room rates ranged from $15 to $25 per week.

In 1944 Dr. R.R. Melton organized a hospital board. The hospital was recognized by the American Medical Association Register of Hospitals.

In 1942, the Kiwanis Club of Marion was asked to look into the possibilities of obtaining a new, larger hospital for Marion. The Most Reverend Christian H. Winkelman, bishop of the Catholic dioceses of Wichita, was approached about the possibility of establishing a hospital in Marion to be operated by the Sisters Adorers of the Most Precious Blood. In 1943, with the encouragement of the bishop, the Sisters Adorers agree to accept the proposal and promised to give 25 percent of the cost of construction, up to $50,000.

The citizens of the area would raise $150,000 toward the 50 room hospital. The Sisters would take over the management of the hospital after the completion of the building. The Sisters named it Saint Luke Hospital. Open house was held October 18, 1952, nationally known as St. Luke's Day.

June 1, 1968, the Sisters announced they would leave St. Luke Hospital. They agreed to sell the hospital, equipment and accounts to the proposed district for the price of $117,754 over a term of 10 years with no interest charged. Hospital District No. 1 of Marion County, Kansas signed an operations contract with Lutherans Hospitals and Home Society of Fargo, North Dakota.

In 1979, Marion County Home Care began providing services to Marion County. In 1981, a medical clinic was opened. St. Luke Foundation was created in 1990. St. Luke Hospital and Living Center celebrated 50 years of Care and Service in 2002.

Our services are second to none. Our staff is professional, experienced, compassionate, and trained in the latest techniques to ensure that all patients receive the specialized treatment necessary from a full-service hospital.

Our professionals are specialized in their respective fields, graduates of accredited schools and licensed as appropriate. We offer a wide range of services, with additional specialized functions available by contract. Our mission is to continually improve the health and quality of life for the people of this community.