Misericordia (meaning “heart of mercy” in Latin) Nursing & Rehabilitation Center opened its doors on October 23, 1943. A beautiful mansion on the corner of Roosevelt and Linden Avenue was purchased at a very moderate price and dedicated as a home of convalescence for the elderly ill of the York area. The name given to the facility was Misericordia Convalescent Home. The Daughters of Mercy gladly accepted the care and management of the new Home, as this offered them the opportunity of inaugurating a new work of mercy; one dear to the heart of their Foundress, St. Mary Joseph Rossello – that of caring for the sick. It is part of their mission to meet the most urgent needs of the time.
Because the Sisters did not have funds for the purchase, Fr. O’Flynn, staunch friend and supporter of the Sisters, offered to pay for the building from parish funds, making it remain, for a time, under the auspices of his parish. Bishop George Leech, Bishop of Harrisburg, and Reverend Monsignor Tighe, director of Catholic charities for the Diocese of Harrisburg , were also instrumental in the accomplishment of the project, which took place during the years of World War II.
The original staff consisted of four Sisters: Sister Rita, Sister Susanna, Sister Rosella, and Sister Angela. For 22 years, the original hospital served many residents, though the building only accommodated 15 beds. However, in time, Pennsylvania laws condemned the wooden building. Therefore, a 5-acre tract of land on the corner of Russell Street and Washington Road in Springettsbury Township was purchased in 1963, where the present 50-bed brick facility was erected and dedicated on October 11, 1965.
During the course of the years, the Misericordia Convalescent Home has evolved into the skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility that it is today. The home has had 4 administrators since its foundation: Sister Rita Gutsie, D.M. Sister Rosella Giarletta, D.M. and Sister Carmel Marie Paroli, D.M. Its present administrator is Mrs. Marion Bittner, NHA (Licensed Nursing Home Administrator).