Mercy Hospital, c. 1920

South Side Emergency Hospital, Mercy Hospital, Columbus Community Hospital

South Side Emergency Hospital opened March 17, 1903 in a large house at 1522 South High Street at Welch started by a doctor and several laymen. They abandoned the effort but the residents of the area saw the need for a hospital to serve the south side of Columbus and they pushed ahead with plans to establish a permanent facility. In early 1904, twenty ladies organized a nonprofit corporation. A charter was established authorizing its operation and establishing a school of nursing. Mercy Hospital opened March 1, 1904 with four doctors, one nurse and one patient. During 1907, the School of Nursing graduated its first class and a decision was made to begin fund raising efforts for a new, larger facility. Money was raised to purchase a new permanent building at 1430 South High Street. The new facility opened in 1910 and was expanded in 1930. A medical office building was constructed in 1958. In 1970 new buildings replaced the old building. Mercy Hospital was renamed Columbus Community Hospital in 2001 and closed later that year for financial reasons. In 2002 it was reopen as an urgent care facility named Urgent Care Plus and in 2011 still functions as such.