Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1922-2022 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
2m of textual records
Context area
Name of creator
Archival history
The records were transferred from the administrative offices to the congregational archives on a regular basis from 1988-2011.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
The Motherhouse series consist of records created to document the activities of the Toronto Motherhouse, the administrative headquarters of the Institute of the Sisters of Service. In the city's mid-town, foundress Catherine Donnelly lived briefly in a house at 97 St. Joseph Street before the purchase of 2 Wellesley Place in August 1922. Strategically located within the sight of the Toronto archbishop's residence and around the corner of Our Lady of Lourdes parish, the Motherhouse was also the residence for the Sister General, the permanent administrative staff, and sisters appointed to assist in household duties or sisters employed in Toronto and area. The Motherhouse provided accommodation for visiting SOS, their families, other religious visitors, and friends.
When the Wellesley Place property was expropriated in 1968 by nearby Wellesley Hospital, a new headquarters and residence was constructed and opened in 1970 at 10 Montcrest Boulevard, overlooking Riverdale park in the city's east end. To update the residence for senior sisters, the Motherhouse was renovated between 2000 and 2002. Later, the house was gifted to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto as part of the sponsorship agreement in 2011.
The series includes a cottage as a summer respite for the sisters was purchased in 1968 near Keswick, on Lake Simcoe, an hour's drive from Toronto.
The series consists of correspondence, newsletters and inventories of the household contents. The volumes of annals provide the primary records in documenting the daily events, activities and visitors at the Motherhouse.
The series is divided into the following subseries:
- 97 St. Joseph Street
- 2 Wellesley Place
- 10 Montcrest Boulevard
- Keswick, Ontario
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
No future accruals expected.
System of arrangement
Series arrangement not altered from received arrangement except where related folders were combined into a single intellectual file. These are indicated at the file level by the previous identifier.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Files are restricted for 30 years after the date of creation. Where restrictions exist, these are indicated at the file level.
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Dates of creation revision deletion
Created by F Rousselle, 4 November 2024.
Revised by F Rousselle Nov 13, 2025.
Language(s)
Script(s)
Sources
Archival History and Content descriptions by MC Havey, congregational archivist, and inherited upon USMC transfer.