Denver’s St. Anthony Central Hospital closed a chapter of its history today by looking to the past.
Four time capsules, buried in three cornerstones, were opened during the closing ceremony for the hospital, which will move to a new facility in Lakewood on June 17. Capsules from 1892, 1918, 1940 and 1966 were unveiled for the first time since they were sealed, stirring memories for some longtime employees.
Dr. Ray Mencini, Interim President and CEO for St. Anthony Central and Tim Keenan, Administrative Director of Support Services, donned blue rubber gloves and opened the boxes.
In the first, from 1892, was a tree branch; a newspaper; two pictures of the founding nuns; and a register of the original nuns, bishop and priest, dated Sept. 6, 1892.
Others included more newspaper clippings, photos, coins and medallions, and, in the 1918 capsule, a pine cone.
Mencini recalled the story of the founding sisters shaking down the Pacific Railroad workers for the funds to build the hospital in the late 1800s.
“They never took no for an answer. They went daily to ask for more money and would even stand outside the saloons, blocking the entrance, until they were given more money,” Mencini said.
Mencini said the story of the sisters resonates today with the mission and vision of the hospital.
“They were all tough and had a vision of where we were going,” Mencini said. “At the new facility we will continue the tradition of being the premier facility and giving back to the community.”
Mencini said St. Anthony’s was like a home to not only him, but also all of his fellow employees.
The longest serving employee at St. Anthony’s, Helen Kotris has worked at the hospital since Dec. 5, 1956. She started in the laundry room earning $.80 per hour.
“Saint Anthony’s has been my second home and family,” Kotris said. “I’ve been happy beyond words to be employed here.”
Dorothy Kincaid started volunteering for the hospital in 1956 and plans to continue doing so at the new facility.
She recalled when the back of the gift shop used to be filled with cigarettes, one of their main sources of revenue.
“I’ve got more out of volunteering than I was able to give,” Kincaid said.
Caitlin Gibbons 303-954-1638 or cgibbons@denverpost.com
