Downtown Spokane in Spokane County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
The Call and the Challenge
Photographed by Shirley A Stirling, September 25, 2026
1. Intro marker
Presented to the City of Spokane on October 10, 1986 in recognition of the centennial of Sacred Heart Medical Center. The sculpture is dedicated to past, present and future pioneers and builders of Spokane, to their vision and work that have made Spokane the hub of the Inland Northwest.
Sculptor - Kenneth Spiering • Collaborator - Harold Balazs
Pioneers in health care throughout the western United States, the Sisters of Providence founded Sacred Heart, Spokane’s first hospital. Mother Joseph and Sister Joseph of Arimathea arrived in Spokane in May of 1886 and established the hospital on the south bank of the Spokane River at this approximate location. Sacred Heart Hospital served not only the sick, but the homeless, aged and poor.
In 1910, Sacred Heart Hospital relocated to Spokane’s South Hill, between Eighth and Ninth Avenues, the present location of Sacred Heart Medical Center. Throughout their history, the Sisters of Providence and Sacred Heart have continued to minister through health care with a dedication to Christian compassion.
Erected 1986.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Religion & Religious Structures • Science & Medicine. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1886.
Location. 47° 39.692′ N, 117° 24.937′ W. Marker is in Spokane, Washington, in Spokane County. It is in Downtown Spokane. It is on West Spokane Falls Boulevard east of N Washington Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 344 Spokane Falls Boulevard, Spokane WA 99201, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally,
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Expo '74 (a few steps from this marker); Washington State Pavilion (within shouting distance of this marker); A Legacy of Railroads (within shouting distance of this marker); Industry on the Spokane River (within shouting distance of this marker); An Evolving Shoreline (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); What's in the Water (about 600 feet away); Vietnam Veterans Memorial (about 600 feet away); How the River Became Home for Sqelix — Spokane Tribe (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spokane.
Photographed by Shirley A Stirling, September 25, 2026
2. The Call and the Challenge Marker
Photographed by Shirley A Stirling, September 25, 2026
3. The Call and the Challenge Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 30, 2026, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. This page has been viewed 15 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 30, 2026, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
