Archives
The MSBT Archives contain our collection of photos, records, objects and materials, which has been gathered over the last 100 years of our history.
Our archives can be found on the grounds of our Motherhouse complex in Philadelphia, PA.
Sr. Theresa Ahern is our archivist. She is responsible for organizing, preserving and providing access to the information and materials in the MSBT Archives. Watch a video about Sr. Theresa.
The photos shown below illustrate the years of our beginnings in Alabama from the arrival of lay volunteers in 1916 to the departure of many of the Sisters after the destruction of the Motherhouse by fire in 1930.These scenes give a sense of the experience of these women and men who came to rural Alabama mostly from cities of the north in order to serve God and the Catholic Church. They came in response to a plea by Fr. Thomas A. Judge, CM a Vincentian priest who in 1915 was missioned to Opelika, AL. In the light of being responsible for a large area with few Catholics, Fr. Judge asked his Religious Superior for advice. He was told “do something to help the people”, “start something”. After prayer he called upon the groups of apostolic women whom he had been training to reach out to Catholics falling away from the Church. From this group emerged some who formed the beginnings of the Religious Congregation the Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity