Series TW 7 - Grace Hospital records

On January 17, 1890, the Toronto Homeopathic Hospital (also known as the Toronto Homeopathic Hospital and Free Dispensary Association) opened with 11 beds at the corner of Richmond and Duncan streets, later moving to Shuter and Jarvis Streets. In 1890 they also established a Training School for Nurses. The Toronto Homeopathic Hospital had been incorporated under the “Act respecting Benevolent, Provident and other Societies.” In their Constitution, the affairs of the Hospital were under the direction and control of a Board of Managers of at least 20 members of whom at least 12 were to be women. The Board of Managers (also known as the Board of Management) was to be elected annually. The first President of the Board was Sir Adam Wilson, followed by Judge J.E. McDougall in 1892.

The first homeopathic practitioners to be associated with the Hospital were: J. Adams, M.D.; D.J. Oliphant, M.D.; Wm. Howitt, M.D.; Jno. B. Hall, M.D.; Richard Hearn, M.D.; W.H. Oliphant, M.B.; Edward Adams, M.D.; W.J. Hunter Emory, M.D.; J.D. Tyrrell, M.D.; A.B. Eadie, M.D.; D. Ogden Jones, M.D.; J.N. Anderson, M.D.; Overton F. Macdonald, M.D.; Edward Hartley Robinson, M.D.

In 1893 the Toronto Homeopathic Hospital moved to Huron and College Streets and was incorporated by a special Act of the Ontario Legislature on April 26, 1893 under the new name of Grace Hospital (Homeopathic). The Act was assented to on May 27, 1893. According to the new Act of Incorporation there were to be five Trustees: Judge Joseph Easton McDougall, Frederic Roper, William Barclay McMurrich, John D. Nasmith, and Edward Gurney. The Trustees were to elect annually a Chairman from among them. There was also to be a Board of Management to assist with the work of the Hospital. The Board of Management was to consist of no more than 30 “ladies” appointed by the Trustees to assist in the “domestic needs of the Institution”. In December 1894 the By-Laws of the Hospital were amended such that the Chairman of the Board of Trustees became the ex-officio President of the Board of Management and the Board of Management now consisted of both men and women.

In 1899 several allopathic physicians were appointed to the Hospital but maintained separate services.

Judge J.E. McDougall served as Chairman of the Board.

In February 1902 an amended Act was passed changing the name of the Grace Hospital (Homeopathic) to Grace Hospital. This amended Act was assented to on March 17, 1902. In addition to the change in name, the Act to Amend the Act to Incorporate Grace Hospital (Homeopathic) indicated that the five Trustees of the Hospital could appoint up to an additional eight Trustees such that the Board would have a minimum of five and a maximum of 13 members. The Board of Trustees was now to be known as a Board of Governors. Judge J.E. McDougall continued as Chairman until his death in 1903. Edward Gurney succeeded him as Chairman.

In March 1926 Grace Hospital amalgamated with the Toronto Western Hospital.

The Grace Division of the Toronto Western Hospital was the result of the amalgamation of Grace Hospital with the Toronto Western Hospital In March 1926. In 1936 the activities at the Grace Division fully amalgamated on the property of the Toronto Western Hospital and the Grace Division was closed. At that point the name "Grace Hospital" was released for use by another institution.