In the early years of the 20^th century, Msgr. William Browne, pastor of St. Mary's Parish saw the need for a Catholic Hospital in the City of Amsterdam.  It was a time when industry was rapidly expanding in the city along the Mohawk and the carpet mills were flourishing.  Immigrants from Italy, Poland and Lithuania were swelling the population of the city.  With foresight and trust in God's providence Msgr. Browne purchased a local mansion and requested that Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet come and establish St. Mary's Hospital.

On April 19^th five Sisters of St. Joseph opened the doors of St. Mary's and began this ministry of healing and compassion.  From this modest beginning St. Mary's has grown to become a modern, mission driven health ministry.  Combining the most updated technology in imaging, surgery and patient care with its founding vision of compassion, openness to all people, service to those who are poor and a passion for excellence, St. Mary's is now the only acute care hospital in Montgomery County.  With over 1,100 associates serve not only in the Hospital building but also, in over 35 Behavioral Health programs  throughout the county and in four Family Health Clinics and one off campus lab.

Continuing the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet long tradition of collaboration and seeking partners in Ministry, in 2002 St. Mary's, along with all the hospitals founded by the Sisters throughout the nation, became part of Ascension Health, the largest Catholic Healthcare System in the United States.  Today, as a member of Ascension Health, St. Mary's joins with over sixty other hospitals in a commitment to work toward:

Health Care that is Safe, Health Care that Works,
Health Care that leaves no one behind.