The old Lutheran Hospital, later known as the St. Alexius Jefferson Campus to distinguish itself from the now-closed South Broadway Campus, and also home to the recently defunct Lutheran School of Nurshing, is looking pretty rough.
Working our way around counterclockwise, we see just how much vandalism, illegal entering and other just general dilapidation has occurred since the campus closed.
As was so common, the hospital began out in the country in a former country house, in this case the home of Christan Lange.
It is perhaps the most historic portion of the campus.
It is all boarded up now, though plenty of points of entry by scrappers have been made on the back portion of the campus, where Texas Avenue was closed through the middle.
People just felt like smashing windows, apparently.
The parking lot on the south side of the complex used to be a couple of stately country houses that are now long gone.
The one on the southwest was another typical Italianate country home.
Both demolished for a parking lot that nobody uses.
Honestly, nobody wants these buildings. Except for the Christian Lange Mansion, tear all of these ugly buildings down and build mixed income housing–which was what was here originally before these bland things were built and restore the street grid. No angel investor is going to fly in and reopen a hospital here.
It’s sad to think that this once-great institution, that started in this humble house, is now closed and increasingly forgotten, after so many years of so many people working hard at its various locations.
Is it forsale
For the right price, I’m sure the out-of-town owners would sell it. They’re being sued right now by neighbors due to the deterioration of the buildings.
Heartbreaking
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I had the honor of spending three of the best years of my life as a Family Medicine Resident from 1982–1985 at Lutheran Hospital.
Although I am a devout Roman Catholic, it was very important to me to train at a Christian Hospital where ones faith could be shared openly with patients and staff.
I recall the outstanding nursing staff at LMC from whom I learned a great deal.
Endeavoring to become a family physician and having the opportunity to train at an institution where Family Medicine is the only residency training program , allows for a greater depth of responsibility when the FM resident does not become “low man on the totem pole“ while rotating through each of the specialties.
We had an excellent faculty and a medical staff that was integral to our preparation for joining the ranks private practice, following completion of the program or considering a career in academic medicine.
The training was rigorous With very long hours, especially with on call responsibilities.. That experience better equipped me to be ready to practice independently than many other fine family residencies might have.
As I think back on the time that I spent in that old building, it is with gratitude and respect and now a great deal of sadness at what it has become. Although we all know that change is inevitable, it can still strike at our heartstrings especially when there is loss.
Thank you, Lutheran Hospital for the education that you provided to me and to so many other physicians that had the privilege of spending time with you.
Thomas D Robbins, MD, FAAFP
Jefferson City, Missouri