Opened in 1923, Mercy Hospital, located around 1344 22nd Street South, was the only primary care facility available to African Americans in St. Petersburg until 1966. The hospital was founded to meet the Black community’s healthcare needs during the segregation era.
Despite facing considerable challenges—from limited resources to staffing shortages—the hospital remained a vital resource for residents. One of its most notable moments came in 1926 when Dr. James Maxie Ponder became the first Black staff physician, marking a key milestone in Mercy Hospital’s enduring legacy.
A cornerstone of the St. Pete community
Throughout its operation, Mercy Hospital was more than just a medical facility; it was a cornerstone of the community. Former staff and patients recall it as a place where compassionate care was delivered despite the constraints of segregation. One former nurse reminisced about the camaraderie among the staff and the commitment to serving their patients.
“Staff at Mercy became family. We got along really well; we just helped each other. We didn’t have a lot of help, but we worked together. Aides, maids, and all…nurses and doctors, we were nice to each other,” said 90-year-old Tillman when speaking to The Weekly Challenger in July 2016. Read the full article here.
After its closure in 1966, the building underwent various uses and stood as a reminder of the city’s segregated past. In 1998, the City Council voted to purchase the then-vacant building, acknowledging its historical significance.
The oldest surviving hospital building in the city
Mercy Hospital, St. Petersburg’s oldest surviving hospital building, holds a pivotal place in the city’s history.
During the Civil Rights Movement, the hospital became much more than a healthcare facility—it was a sanctuary and a symbol of strength for protesters challenging racial segregation in local hospitals and beyond. Its role as a safe haven for those on the front lines of the fight for equality cannot be overstated.
Today, it stands as the Johnnie Ruth Clark Health Center, continuing its legacy of care as part of the Historic Mercy Hospital Campus, serving as a vital community health resource.
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