Andrew J. Signorelli, MD, founded Faith Hospital in 1937. 

The non-profit, non-sectarian hospital was located on the corner of Taylor and Maffitt in North St. Louis. The hospital was in a building constructed for the former American Hospital, built in 1905. Although there were doubts about the success of a hospital during the Depression and war years, Faith Hospital thrived and plans were developed following World War II for a new 60-bed hospital.

In 1945, Dr. Signorelli formed a bond committee to finance the new hospital. He had the support of Charles A. Shaw, a former mayor of Clayton, and other friends. During the first month of the campaign, $250,000 had been pledged.

In March 1950, construction began for a new Faith Hospital at 3300 North Kingshighway in the City of St. Louis. The hospital was the first new, voluntary hospital built in St. Louis in the previous 20 years. It was also the first air-conditioned hospital in St. Louis and one of the few specifically designed in the United States.

The first patient was admitted in May 1952 to Faith Hospital on North Kingshighway. The previous hospital was operated for several years as a community hospital. The building and land were later donated to the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

By 1956, Faith Hospital had completed several new additions to accommodate the growing need. The bed capacity more than doubled, and more ancillary services and facilities were provided. To assist with more progressive care of patients, an “ultramodern” recovery room, a special care section and an updated X-ray department were several of the new additions to the hospital.

Faith Hospital had a continuing need to grow, and by the 1960s, a plan to expand across the street on the site of an old public school stadium ground was developed. When the St. Louis School Board decided to keep the property, Dr. Signorelli found a new location to the west.

The Hezel family lived and farmed a 95-acre tract of land located at Olive and Mason Roads in Creve Coeur for more than 100 years. 

Dr. Signorelli purchased this land for the new Faith Hospital West, with the understanding that the family could still farm a portion of the land.

Construction begins on Faith Hospital West in 1966.

Construction is almost complete for the new Faith Hospital West along the once rural farm roads of Olive and Mason Roads in West St. Louis County.

The hospital was dedicated on Jan. 5, 1969, and the first patient was admitted the following day. This modern medical-surgical hospital had 132 beds.

Faith Hospital West was home to more than 300 physicians, 250 employees and was led by Dr. Signorelli and his son, Andrew J. Signorelli, the hospital administrator.

The new Faith Hospital followed Dr. Signorelli’s belief that a hospital should create a relaxed, comfortable environment for its patients. The hospital is still known today for its scenic landscape and soothing environment.

Recognizing a need for high-quality day care and an educational institution close to the hospital for employees and also people in surrounding communities, ground was broken in the early 1970s adjacent to the hospital on Mason Road for construction of Hope Montessori and Day Care Academy. Since then, additional classrooms and buildings have been added, leading to Andrews Academy opening in 1983, a school for first- through sixth-grade students. By 2016, the Signorelli family was operating 16 schools in both St. Louis and Colorado.

In 1972, the hospital continued its growth by completing the Medic Center — a professional office building that provided space for doctors and staff with access to the pharmacy, X-ray department and hearing laboratory. An addition to the Medic Center was completed in 1982.

The Medic Center was re-named Medical Office Building One after additional medical office buildings were constructed on the hospital campus.

Dr. Signorelli died Sept. 19, 1986.

In 1989, the former Barnes Hospital reached an agreement to buy Faith Hospital.

Andrew J. Signorelli, the former hospital administrator, died Oct. 5, 2013.

Special thanks to the Signorelli Family for providing Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital with historical photos, facts and documents to create this timeline.

In the early 1990s, the former Barnes Hospital joined BJC HealthCare and by 1996 had joined with the former Jewish Hospital to become Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital.

Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital offers specialized care from highly skilled clinicians and world-class physicians from Washington University, BJC Medical Group and private practice. The hospital has maintained the vision of Dr. Signorelli, his family and all those who worked for Faith Hospital, to provide care in a compassionate, healing environment.

In 1999, Siteman Cancer Center was established by the generous donation of Alvin and Ruth Siteman at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine.

In 2008, Siteman Cancer Center and Washington University physicians expanded its care at Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital by increasing chemotherapy services, radiation oncology therapy and adding additional surgical services. Today, Siteman Cancer Center continues to improve the health of individuals locally, regionally and nationally through cancer research, treatment and prevention.

Healing Garden at Siteman Cancer Center, Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital.

On May 30, leaders from BJC HealthCare, Washington University School of Medicine, the hospital medical staff, Creve Coeur city officials, and the project team gathered to ceremonially break ground for the new Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital. The event honored the past and celebrated the future of medicine in Creve Coeur.

Trish Lollo, Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital president, recognized the continuation of caring for the community envisioned by the Signorelli family when they opened Faith Hospital in 1969. Members of the Signorelli Family attended the groundbreaking, including Mark Signorelli, Terry Signorelli, Theresa (Signorelli) Callahan and Dan Signorelli.

Trish Lollo with Steve Lipstein, CEO of BJC Health Care.  Mr. Lipstein shares that Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital has always stood proud on being a relatively small hospital, but being very patient centric, very responsive to the needs of the local community and very committed to the people of Creve Coeur.

Click below to watch a brief video of the event and remarks:
 

On March 1, Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital celebrated the “topping out” of structural steel on the 260,000 square foot replacement hospital and the adjoining 100,000 square foot medical office building.

That afternoon, cranes hoisted a steel beam, topped with an American flag, evergreen tree and the signatures of employees, physicians and construction workers, to the top of the building. Speakers included Trish Lollo, BJWCH president, Chris Eagon, MD, Washington University bariatric surgeon, and chief of BJWCH medical staff, Donna Ware, BJC executive director, planning and design; and Steve Baker, lead site superintendent, Paric Construction.

“Today, as a hospital community, we’re marking a significant project milestone, and next year we look forward to celebrating the opening of our brand new, Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital,” Trish Lollo said. “This facility is really the hospital of the future – designed to care for patients in the most efficient, patient-centered and innovative ways right here in Creve Coeur. We will continue to serve our immediate community and the many people who travel from beyond St. Louis County for the expertise of our team.”

Click below to watch a short highlight video of the BJWCH topping out ceremony, which includes placing of the final steel beam:
 

Nearly 100 dignitaries gathered Oct. 29, 2019 for the ribbon cutting and to celebrate the opening of the new Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital.

Click below to watch a short highlight video of the BJWCH ribbon cutting ceremony, which includes a quick tour of the new hospital:

Bob Cannon, Barnes-Jewish Hospital president and BJC group president, welcomed and thanked BJC and BJWCH leadership; board members; government officials; planners, designers and contractors; and the caregivers and patients for whom the hospital was built. Members of the Signorelli family, whose grandfather Andrew Signorelli, MD, started Faith Hospital, which Barnes Hospital acquired in 1989, attended and were recognized as well.

The new Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital opened to patients on the morning of Nov. 5. The new hospital replaces the previous 50-year-old facility and offers an optimal healing environment that’s innovative, efficient and designed to enhance excellent patient care. Designed as the “hospital of the future” with maximum flexibility, efficiency and technological advancements, it will allow clinicians to spend more time caring for patients.

Take a virtual tour.

“Every detail of the new Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital is designed to improve outcomes, as well as the experience for our patients, families and the team providing their care,” says Bob Cannon, Barnes-Jewish Hospital president and BJC group president. “The combination of advanced technology, adaptable clinical spaces and a welcoming campus will create the ideal environment for care and healing.”