THE BEGINNINGS OF THE PROVINCE OF THE WEST

THE DAUGHTERS OF CHARITY IN CALIFORNIA

In 1850, the Daughters of Charity were centered in Emmitsburg, Maryland and provided services primarily in those states east of the Mississippi River. They taught children, cared for orphans and nursed the sick.

In 1850, California became the 31st State in the Union. The population in the San Francisco area grew rapidly just after the discovery of gold in 1848. Many new problems followed this population increase.

In 1852, the Archbishop of San Francisco appealed to the leadership in Emmitsburg and requested sisters. Later the Bishop of Monterey (Los Angeles and Santa Barbara) made the same request. The leadership responded and sisters began the long journey to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Juan Bautista, Santa Cruz, Virginia City and Petaluma.