Statue removed for Saint Francis expansion

Shawn Roll-Huston, left, Nathan Bahr and Matt Underwood help lift the statue of St. Francis of Assisi from its pedestal in the fountain at Saint Francis Medical Center Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012 after a groundbreaking ceremony. The front entrance will be closed Dec. 4 as the $127 million expansion and renovation project begins. (Fred Lynch)

The statue of St. Francis of Assisi has stood since 1976 at Saint Francis Medical Center.

Ground is broken for the $127 million, two-phase "Building on Excellence" expansion and renovation project. From left: Marilyn Curtis, Vice President -- Professional Services, Dr. Matthew Schumer, family medicine physician; Dr. C. Edward LaValle III, infectious disease physician; Dr. Duc Nguyen, cardiologist; Dr. Andrew Godbey, neurologist; Dr. Deborah Price, internal medicine physician; Dr. Robert Gile, anesthesiologist; Dr. Carmen Keith, pain management physician; Dr. Clifford Talbert, cardiologist; Dr. Karlyle Christian-Ritter, neonatologist; Dr. Ann Behrend-Uhls, obstetrician/gynecologist; Dr. Brian Schafer, orthopedic surgeon; Steven C. Bjelich, President and CEO; Dennis Marchi, Chairman of the Saint Francis Healthcare System Board of Directors.

The statue of St. Francis of Assisi is removed from the fountain at Saint Francis Medical Center to accommodate the expansion project.

Matt Underwood, left, Greg Holshouser, Shawn Roll-Huston and Nathan Bahr pose Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012 with the statue of St. Francis of Assisi which they removed from the fountain at Saint Francis Medical Center after a groundbreaking ceremony.

The statue of St. Francis stands 5 feet, 3 inches to the top of the crucifix.

Published Sept. 16, 1976 Eddy Brooks, left, and Art Cox, employees of Saint Francis Hospital, carefully cleaned a statue of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron of good health, that for many years has graced the hospital grounds. The statue will be moved to the new medical center here. (Missourian photo)

The statue of St. Francis of Assisi can be seen in an alcove below the belltower of St. Francis Hospital, northwest corner Sprigg and William streets. In 1882 the Franciscan Sisters built the west wing of the hospital facing William Street on a lot given them by Jack Painter. In 1900 they raised $42,000 to expand the hospital, and the north wing was added in 1901 at Sprigg and William. A model laundry plant was installed in 1905. The structure continued to be used as St. Francis Hospital until 1914, when a new facility was built at Good Hope and Pacific. The old hospital later became St. Mary's High School. (photo made from undated postcard)

This photo of St. Francis Hospital built in 1882, at Sprigg and William streets, shows the statue of St. Francis of Assisi had a coat of paint.