1935
The late Right Rev. Bishop Hennemann spearheaded the initiative to care for these children by offering a vacant Presbytery at Philippi. The first Pallottine Missionary Sisters arrived on 23rd September 1935 and, just a few days later, the first patients were admitted – ten helpless suffering children. And so St Joseph’s Home for Chronic Invalid Children came into being. Prominent diseases among these children were surgical Tuberculosis, Cerebral Diplegia, Little’s disease, Ricketts, Spina Bifida and malnutrition.
1941
The Home was constituted as a Charitable Institution and managed by the Pallottine Missionary Sisters. By 1941 the number of children had increased to 120. In the same year the Provincial Administration of the Cape effectively endorsed the project.
1948
The Home was extended to accommodate 135 children. At this time formal schooling was firmly established and subsidised by the Department of Education.
1967
The infamous Group Areas Act necessitated a move to our present site at Montana. This was because white and coloured children were then not allowed to be cared for in a designated Black residential area.
1974
The Home was given permission to train nursing staff and opened its own Nursing school.
1985
Schooling of the children moved out of the wards into a brand new school building built using funds donated from donors in Germany. This event coincided with the Golden Jubilee of the Pallottine Sisters.
2002
A 25-bed ward was opened for HIV/Aids/TB infected children.
2005
The School changed its status to a Special Needs School and opened its doors to outside learners who are chronically ill or have learning problems.
2008
The Nursing School re-opened its doors thanks to a generous benefactor from Germany, Patrick Hoffmeier and his family.
2010
Celebrated 75 years of dedicated service to the Community.
2011
Opened 10 beds for Respite Care over the December holidays.
The original St Josephs Home, Philippi 1935
St Josephs Home - formal schooling established
The 2nd St Joseph's, still in Philippi
