In the years following the Civil War, Washington DC=s population was expanding rapidly but there was relatively slow progress in the delivery of basic services and few governmental provisions for social welfare.  Federal assistance for the impoverished was practically non-existent.  It was at this time, in 1871, that Father Jacob Ambrose Walter, the fourth pastor of St. Patrick's Church B the oldest Roman Catholic parish in Washington City, welcomed seven Little Sisters of the Poor from France to care for the aged poor in a building he provided them at 924 G Street, NW. The Little Sisters soon attracted considerable attention and political support in late-nineteenth century Washington.  This political support aided their efforts, and soon after their arrival the Sisters were granted unprecedented permission to beg for donations in the buildings of the federal government.

Such favor among Washington=s Catholics and non-Catholics was immensely helpful when we outgrew our first home at St. Patrick=s after only two years.  In 1872, Fr. Walters, who was then preparing his own campaign to build the present St. Patrick=s Church, helped us find property at 220 H Street, NE, located quite near Union Station.

By the 1970's, however, construction of the six-lane H Street Bridge brought the roadway within 10-feet of the front of the home.  A serious fire on the bridge, followed by a car accident that caused a vehicle to jump the safety rail and crash into the property, forced St, Joseph=s Home to relocate.  In March 1977, we moved from H Street and briefly left the District of Columbia before opening Jeanne Jugan Residence across the street from Catholic University in 1982. 

Our home now welcomes almost 100 Residents from over 20 countries, a true representation of a wealth of nations, which is the United States. It is the support of the local community, which enables us to continue our mission. Like our Residents, our staff and volunteers come from all over the world and they come from all walks of life. We welcome all who wish to join us in proclaiming the great gift the elderly are to our country and our world!