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Welcome to our Home!

Known as the James P. Wall Home for the Aged, our home is located in the North Side neighborhood of Brighton Heights. Many refer to our home as the hidden jewel of the North Side because of the serenity surrounding our property. The levels of care available include:

  • Independent Living Apartments for low-income seniors, one or two bedrooms
  • Nursing Care

Providing a continuum of care ensures that our Residents can remain with us no matter what level of care they need. This is not only ideal for Residents, but has been proven to be life lengthening and enriching.

It is the mission of the Little Sisters to serve the needs of the elderly poor. Two primary requirements for admission at any level of care are for the applicant to be over the age of 65 and financially needy. While we take a spiritual approach to aging at our home, Residents do not have to be Catholic to live here. Persons of all faiths are welcome. Our love and care of the elderly poor is the heart of our mission, as is our spirit of hospitality to all.

The History of Our Work in Pittsburgh

At the request of the St. Vincent de Paul Society in April 1872, the Little Sisters of the Poor were invited to establish a Home to care for the elderly in Pittsburgh. The first seven Little Sisters to arrive were warmly welcomed by Pittsburgh’s Bishop Michael Domenec and given a small home for their use in what was called Allegheny City (now known as Pittsburgh’s North Side).

As the number of elderly in their care grew, an additional Home was erected in 1885 along Penn Avenue in the Garfield neighborhood. The Little Sisters were recognized throughout the city as they went about in their horse and buggy begging for food and essential needs for the Home. They were beloved by all for their selfless work in caring for the elderly poor.

Through the generosity of Patrick Wall and his wife, Catherine, a second larger home was opened in 1924 on Benton Avenue in the city’s Brighton Heights neighborhood, which replaced the initial home in Allegheny City that the Sisters initially founded.

A fatal fire ravaged the Penn Avenue Home in 1931, taking the lives of some 40 Residents. Never let it be said that Pittsburghers lack generosity. Though the Great Depression had taken its toll on the region, the community rallied to help and raised enough money within weeks to reconstruct the Home.

The Little Sisters operated the two Homes until 1971 when it was decided to consolidate services and the Penn Avenue Home was closed. A new nursing home wing, added to the Benton Avenue site was completed in 1972, in time for the centennial celebration of the Little Sisters’ arrival in Pittsburgh.

As the needs of the Home grew, the physical plant underwent several major changes. A series of capital campaigns beginning in 1998 helped provide the funding needed to bring the Home in-line with modern day standards.

A new nursing facility – one predicated on the “Households” concept – was opened in 2004.

Given the demand for decent housing for low-income seniors, the Little Sisters decided to re-make the original 1972 nursing home into independent living apartments. Opened in 2007, these apartments are home to 40 seniors.

The final construction project was the complete renovation of the Home’s flagship, the James P. Wall Building which houses the administrative offices, the medical suite and the Gloria Chapel as well as the auditorium.

The Home is regarded as a valuable community asset. The excellent work performed here by committed staff, volunteers and, of course, the Little Sisters create a welcoming environment for all to be proud.

Mission, Vision and Values

The Little Sisters of the Poor are an international congregation of Roman Catholic women religious founded in 1839 by Saint Jeanne Jugan. The Little Sisters of the Poor serve the elderly poor in over 30 countries around the world with a diverse network of collaborators.

The Little Sisters of the Poor are continuing the work of Saint Jeanne Jugan, our foundress.

The MISSION of the Little Sisters of the Poor is to offer the neediest elderly of every race and religion a home where they will be welcomed as Christ, cared for as family and accompanied with dignity until God calls them to himself.

The VISION of the Little Sisters of the Poor is to contribute to the Culture of Life by nurturing communities where each person is valued, the solidarity of the human family and the wisdom of age are celebrated, and the compassionate love of Christ is shared with all.

The VALUES of the Little Sisters include:

  • REVERENCE for the sacredness of human life and for the uniqueness of each person, especially those who are poorest and/or weakest. The commitment to reverence is reflected in care that is holistic and person-centered.
  • FAMILY SPIRIT offering joyful hospitality embracing all with open arms, hearts and minds; fostering participation in the life of the Home and rejecting all forms of discrimination.
  • HUMBLE SERVICE to raise others up and to put their needs before our own; an appreciation of simple, everyday tasks and experiences and humble means of accomplishing our work.
  • COMPASSION for sharing the weaknesses and sufferings of others; eagerness to relieve pain in all its forms and to make the elderly happy.
  • STEWARDSHIP that recognizes that life and all other goods are gifts from God and should be used responsibly for the good of all; trust in God’s Providence and the generosity of others to provide for our needs; just compensation for our collaborators; a spirit of gratitude and sharing.

Philosophy of Loving Care

We strive to imitate Jesus Christ through the vision of Saint Jeanne Jugan, our Foundress. She said, “Making the elderly happy—that is what counts!” This counsel encourages the establishment of a home-like atmosphere in which the sanctity of human life pervades everything and the presence of God pulses through the care provided by the Little Sisters. We promote the dignity of life by recognizing the uniqueness of each person. Activities are structured to enrich and enhance the Residents’ lives spiritually, emotionally, and socially. Our vow of hospitality inspires us to minister to the elderly poor, especially by providing the gift of presence as they enter the dying process. Saint Jeanne Jugan’s admonition, “Never forget that the poor are our Lord!” is the framework within which the Little Sisters of the Poor live their lives.

Tradition of Begging … the Gifts of Providence

The Little Sisters have maintained the begging tradition of our foundress Saint Jeanne Jugan, relying on the charity of those in our local communities.

Our begging Little Sister is no longer known by her begging basket, but by our “begging van.” The Begging Sister and her helpers go out daily to markets, places of business, farms and nurseries seeking food and commodities to offset operating expenses.

Little Sisters can also be found on weekends at Catholic parishes asking for both financial and spiritual assistance and seeking to build friendships and support for the day-to-day activities of our Home.

The Little Sisters rely heavily on the Begging Sister to bring in much needed items. The Little Sisters also reach out to the local communities requesting donations of both time and funds that support the mission of serving the elderly poor.