Eight centuries ago, Saint Francis was caring for the indigent. Today, providing health care is still the focus for the followers of Saint Francis. They are the Sisters of the Third Order of Saint Francis of Assisi. From their origins in Germany, they moved to Iowa to escape the persecution of the Franco-Prussian War. At the request of Bishop John Spalding, the Sisters moved to Peoria in the 1870’s to establish St. Francis Hospital on South Adams Street. This is the Story of how the Sisters of the Third Order were able to build that small converted house into OSF Health Care System and the six hospitals and three extended care facilities they now manage.