In October 2008, Mercy Health System donated the former St. Mary's Hospital campus, which includes six out buildings, to the Jones Trust for the establishment of a Center for Nonprofits. This donation provides a unique opportunity to expand the vision of the Jones Trust into Benton County and develop a regional example for sustainability through the re-use of the buildings, increased operating efficiencies, and increased service capacity for the nonprofit tenants.
The Center for Nonprofits unites many of the area's nonprofit programs and activities under one roof. The Center will serve as the hub for a diverse group of nonprofit organizations working to better the quality of life for the residents in the region. Among those organizations who will call the Center home are Youth Bridge; Experience Works; Sources; Catholic Charities; NWACC - Culinary Institute; Community Clinic Rogers Medical; and Saving Grace, Inc. The Rogers Police Department will utilize some space for a substation.
On June 17, 2009, the Center held it's grand opening, with Gov. Mike Beebe in attendance. Over the following months, several non profit organizations will be relocating into the facility. The Tenants section of this website provides a schedule of tentative dates, along with a current list of tenants in the Center. By reducing the number of capital campaigns, organizations and local funders are expected to save at least $20 million in capital costs by relocating to the Center.
A budget of $8,000,000 has been established to renovate and update the facility, including tenant finishes. Renovation is focused on updating the energy systems to make them more efficient, environmentally friendly, and cost effective, with a focus on sustainability and green building practices:
- Replace all lighting with energy-efficient lights
- Replace steam boilers with hot water system
- Upgrade heating and air conditioning systems
- Expand sprinkler system throughout the building
- Increase building safety and disability access
History of the former St. Mary's Hospital facility
(photos and copy courtesy of Rogers Historical Museum)
The Rogers Chamber of Commerce led the planning for Rogers’ first public hospital. The Rice family donated funds to purchase the sixteen acres of land on which Rogers Memorial Hospital was built at the corner of 13th and Walnut Streets. In 1951 it came under the direction of the Sisters of Saint Dominic and in 1979 became known as St. Mary’s Hospital. The hospital continued to expand its facilities and services and in 1995 it was transferred to the Sisters of Mercy Health System out of St. Louis. In early 2008, Mercy Hospital moved to a new state-of-the-art medical campus just east of Interstate 540 off of New Hope Road in southwest Rogers, on 75 acres of land donated by the late Evelyn Rife and family in 1998.
The history of the St. Mary's building has been one of healing, helping and leaning since its beginnings in the late 1950's.
At the opening ceremony this proclamation was shared with all those in attendance: "What you see here is not brick and mortar, but a glimpse of the soul of a people. This is a demonstration of faith in people that says life is sacred. In the long years ahead, this building will be a welcome light shining in the darkness of anxiety to countless people. It will be a place where prayerful efforts will be made to sustain life, where helplessness will find help when it is most needed. Few communities have dreamed more nobly. Fewer have worked harder to make the dream a reality."
Dating back to when this wonderful facility was originally founded by the City Fathers of Rogers, to passing the torch to The Dominican Sisters and finally to the Sisters of Mercy, this building has continued to be a place of service and a strong centerpiece for the community. It is our mission at the Jones Trust to continue this long and proud tradition.