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The Grand Body of the Sisters of Charity

A Charity focusing on Black women

The Grand Body of the Sisters of Charity was created in 1874 by the Bethel African American Episcopal (AME) church. The organization served as a resource for black families moving to Indiana after the Civil War (1861-1865). The organization provided food, clothing, and medical treatments. In 1911, charity opened a hospital for the Black community. The Sisters also formed a home for the elderly and a women’s improvement club. Clubs allowed black women to have autonomy and participate in the social gospel movement.

Images

Hospital 1911
Hospital 1911 Hospital funded by the Grand Body of Sisters of Charity Source: Image from the Encyclopedia of Indianapolis

Location

Map

Metadata

Jamee West, “The Grand Body of the Sisters of Charity: A Charity focusing on Black women ,” Discover Indiana, accessed October 22, 2026, https://discoverindianahistory.org/items/show/713.