Sheltering Arms Hospital (Athens, Ohio) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Sheltering Arms Hospital
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Sheltering Arms
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | 19 Clarke St., Athens, Ohio |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1911 |
| Built by | Charles A. Breining |
| NRHP reference No. | 82003542 |
| Added to NRHP | June 25, 1982 |
The Sheltering Arms Hospital was a very important hospital in Athens, Ohio. It began in 1921 as a small place where new mothers could have their babies. Over time, it grew much bigger. It became a full hospital with many different medical services.
The hospital was located at 19 Clarke Street. It helped people there from 1921 until 1970. In 1970, Sheltering Arms moved to a new, larger building. This new hospital was named the Charles G. O’Bleness Memorial Hospital. Today, it is known as the OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital. It joined OhioHealth in 2014.
Contents
The Story of Sheltering Arms Hospital
How It Started
In the early 1920s, a builder named Charles Breining and his wife, Delia, used their home to help new mothers. It was a place where women could give birth and rest for a few days. Dr. John E. Rollings Sprague encouraged them to do more.
So, in 1921, the Breinings added four more rooms to their home. This is when it officially became the Sheltering Arms Hospital. It was one of the first hospitals of its kind in Athens County, Ohio. Soon, many people came to Sheltering Arms for medical care.
Growing Bigger and Better
The hospital kept growing and offering more services. In 1924, they added X-ray machines to help doctors see inside the body. A special lab for tests was added in 1937. The Breinings continued to run the hospital until 1947.
In 1947, they sold the hospital to Dr. Theron H. Morgan. Dr. Morgan later gave the hospital to the community. He did this through a group called The Sheltering Arms Foundation. This foundation started in 1949. After Dr. Morgan passed away in 1957, the Foundation became the full owner of the hospital in 1959.
A New Hospital Is Built
The building on Clarke Street became too small for the growing community. Local doctors asked the people of Athens to help build a new hospital. Many people donated money. A local banker, Charles G. O'Bleness, gave a large amount of money. He donated $1 million of the $1.7 million needed.
Work on the new building began in December 1967. It was about half a mile away from the old hospital. The new hospital opened in 1970. It was named the Charles G. O’Bleness Memorial Hospital to honor Mr. O'Bleness, who had passed away in 1969. This hospital is now known as the OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital.
The Original Building
The first Sheltering Arms building is a two-story brick building. It was built in 1911. Over the years, more parts were added to it until 1939. This historic building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Today, the building provides homes for seniors and people with disabilities who have lower incomes.
