Wondering how Essen’s oldest hospital came to be? The story of St. Elisabeth begins in a time of great social change. St. Elisabeth is more than just a hospital. It is a symbol of compassion and progress in Essen.
In the mid-19th century, industrialization transformed Essen. The booming coal mining and steel industries drew workers. This rapid growth brought social challenges. The church and city sought solutions. They turned to the Beginen-Schwestern for help.
Clara Kopp and her six fellow sisters responded. In 1841, they established a foundation. It was for building a hospital. This order was later known as the Barmherzige Schwestern von der hl. Elisabeth.
On January 23, 1844, the healing institute opened. It was located in the Elisabethenkloster. This was on the grounds of the former Kapuzinerkloster Essen. The hospital was funded by convent assets. It also used the foundation’s capital and donations from Essen citizens. Initially, it could accommodate 35 patients.
The need for medical care quickly grew. An expansion followed in 1849. For the first time, they set up a separate dressing room. There was also an operating room. The rising number of industrial workers increased the need for medical care. Work accidents became more common.
Treatment numbers rose quickly. The hospital soon became too small. In 1854, the Huyssens-Stiftung opened. This was Essen’s second hospital. Yet, the need for institutionalized care continued to grow. By 1893, a new building for St. Elisabeth was erected on Lindenstraße. It had 280 beds. The city expanded. The hospital became an obstacle. The city demanded the activities cease at the current location.
In 1909, the Barmherzige Schwestern sold the hospital building to the city. The price was 1.5 million Goldmark. They bought ten acres of land. It was from the former Brünglinghaushof in Huttrop. A modern clinic should arise on a 2.5-hectare site on Moltkestraße. It should include connections to the monastery, church, and economic wing. An architectural competition was launched in 1910. Otto Krämer and Peter Sistenich won. On May 6, 1913, the new building and church opened. The 500-bed brick building was a modern hospital. It initially had surgery and internal medicine departments.
During World War II, bombs severely damaged St. Elisabeth. On March 11, 1945, the west wing of the sister house was destroyed. The operating rooms in the east wing were destroyed as well. The X-ray department was also hit. Reconstruction began soon after the war. Priority was given to expanding the east wing. This included the infant and toddler ward. The operating house was also prioritized.
In 2003, an extension was built. It included the new main entrance. It also included a central interdisciplinary emergency room. A new children’s ward was built. A new cafeteria and additional elevators were installed. The old main entrance led directly into the old central building. It was completely redesigned. It now leads to the Sozialpädiatrisches Zentrum. The new connecting road was named Klara-Kopp-Weg in 2005. It honored Sister Klara Kopp. She was the founder of Essen’s first hospital.
In March 2010, a new building for two new stations was completed. It has 57 beds. It was built north of the hospital church. In the same period, the hospital church was built. It stands on the southwest side. The architects also designed the church. It included direct access from the street. Two-thirds of the space was for laypeople. One-third was for the sisters. The old Baroque furnishings were brought from the Kapuzinerkirche. The church was consecrated with the hospital on May 6, 1913. The entrance to the gallery is on the first floor of the hospital.
Today, St. Elisabeth provides in-patient and out-patient care. It is based on Christian principles. It stands as Essen’s oldest hospital. It continues to evolve. It combines tradition with modern medical advancements. It serves the community with compassion. The hospital’s story is intertwined with Essen’s history. It reflects the city’s resilience. It also reflects its commitment to caring for all its residents.