Historical Images of Porter County

Christian Hospital
Valparaiso, Indiana

Date: 1909
Source Type: Postcard
Publisher, Printer, Photographer: Unknown
Postmark: October 14, 1909, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Collection: Steven R. Shook
Remark: The National Benevolent Association of the Christian Church, 903 Aubert Avenue, Saint Louis, Mo. Christian Hospital, Valparaiso, Indiana. Little Billy, The youngest surgical patient -- aged 13 months. "I was sick and ye ministered unto me." Dr. D. J. Loring constructed and operated the Loring Hospital in 1891 on East Jefferson Street in Valparaiso. The hospital could accommodate up to twelve patients and was the first hospital to operate in Porter County. In 1906, Dr. Simon J. Young approached the National Benevolent Association, located in St. Louis, to request that the Association partner with the Christian Church of Valparaiso in purchasing the Loring Hospital. The Association agreed to cover one-half of the cost of the purchase, while the local church covered the other one-half of the $13,000 purchase price. The Loring Hospital thus changed its name to Christian Hospital and operated until 1939 when Porter Memorial Hospital was constructed. After the sale of the hospital, Dr. Loring purchased the Hamel property located on the northeast corner of Jefferson and Washington Streets in Valparaiso and erected a second hospital. Following the death of Dr. Loring, Dr. J. R. Pagin purchased the property, later selling it too the Elks Lodge. After two years of ownership, the Elks Lodge sold the second Loring Hospital to the Valparaiso Women's Club.

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Image and related text prepared by Steven R. Shook