Page 22 - Senior Link Magazine Winter 2023 - Online Magazine

Slaton
History

Slaton's

MERCY RETREAT

CENTER

by Ted Wilson

hat does it mean to be in the last nearly a century, have found
“center of mercy”? Does it just that at an appropriately named
Wsound like a place you’d like location at 605 South 19th St. in
to find yourself during these often- Slaton. Mercy Retreat Center really
challenging times? Many people, in the is a retreat from a world we may
find distracting, chaotic, and even
worrisome.
people of Slaton and the surrounding
In 1927, it was the vision of Msgr. communities. The four-story brick
Thomas O’Brien and the Sisters of building incorporated the latest in
Mercy to build a hospital that would hospital equipment and a 50-bed
always look after physical, mental, capacity. The community effort had
and spiritual well-being. Donations of helped to birth a great blessing.
time and money poured in from civic
leaders, churches of all denominations, In July 1952, a two-story convent, with
and ordinary citizens to make the a chapel, community room, reception
dream a reality. room, kitchen, and 26 private rooms,
was connected to the hospital. That
On November 27, 1929, Mercy Hospital structure provided living quarters for
opened its doors to care for the the sisters who worked in the hospital

22 Lubbock Senior Link