The original Butterworth Hospital, known as St. Mark’s Church Home, was located at the present site of Wurzburg’s store and was organized in 1872 with a capacity for six beds, its purpose being a home for the aged. The first meeting was held at the home of Mrs. E. P. Fuller, an outstanding character in Butterworth.

The next building, under the head of St. Mark’s Home and Hospital was located near what is now the Y. W. C. A. and in this building a children’s department and an out-patient department were organized..

In 1888 Mr. Butterworth, interested in the work Mrs. Fuller was carrying on, offered $10,000 for the building of a hospital. He gave the property on the corner of Bostwick and Michigan. The hospital was completed in 1890 and a training school for nurses was established. The first class, consisting of six members, was graduated in 1893.

On January 18, 1894, the name was changed to Butterworth Hospital, in memory of him who had made possible a shelter for the sick. Mr. Lowe, a grandson of Mr. Butterworth, has contributed more than one-half million dollars for the cause of this hospital. He gave the site of the present hospital, which was completed in 1925.

Butterworth nurses are found in more than 21 states in the Union, in Arabia, Alaska, Canal Zone, India, China, and Canada, and are engaged in 40 different lines of nursing.

"And they were sore amazed’ could well be said if our fore fathers could look upon this hospital, serving a large community. And may we, as they so laid each stone, a thought, word, or deed – that these may some day be mounted into something worthwhile.

                                                                                    J. R.

Butterworth Alumnae Association

Butterworth Hospital Training School was established in 1890. The Alumnae was organized in 1906 with twelve members present. The membership increased to one hundred and fifty in 1919. There have been over five hundred graduated since the training school was established. The membership is about two hundred and seventy-five at present.

In 1900 the Relief Fund was established. A nurse, who is in good standing with the Alumnae, and is in need of financial help, may borrow up to $75.00 a year from this Relief Fund.

In 1922 the Bertha Heald Bed Fund was established. Mrs. Charles Heald left her jewels to the Alumnae, in memory of her daughter, Bertha Heald, for the purpose of establishing a free bed for Butterworth nurses. The fund is growing every year. To be a member, a nurse must pay $45.00 pledge and be in good standing in the Alumnae. She may use the bed ten days a year. We hope to increase the number of days’ use as soon as the full amount has been reached.

We have had some very interesting meetings the past year. The Alumnae picnic was held in June at Mrs. Heering’s cottage at Port Sheldon. Wonderful time and good food. Mrs. Boise and Miss Barber were our guests. We had a very interesting lecture on "India" by one of our graduates, Miss Harriet Brummler, who is a missionary there. She had costumes and showed pictures. She has been in India over five years and is going back soon.

In October there was an annual election of officers, with change of just one officer. We had a birthday dinner at the Masonic Temple in November. Mrs. Boise was the honor guest. Largest attendance for some time. The graduating class was our guest at our potluck supper in February. Reverend Dykstra gave us a very interesting illustrated travel talk, "To the Hague and Surrounding Countries". We expect a grand time at the April meeting as the graduating class is to entertain at that time.

                                                                        Helen L. Albee