Vintage Alexian Brothers Hospital Calendar St. Louis, Where Famed Exorcism Ended

Anniversary calendar celebrating from 1869 to 1982.

This is the hospital where the most famous exorcism ended. It was chosen over other hospitals because of their discretion. See information below.

Each month of the calendar features a vintage image and information.

Images include the ward floors, pharmacy, corridor, and laboratory.

Estate piece from a home in St. Louis.

Excellent condition.

Measures 8.5" x 11".

Weighs 3 oz before shipping.

Alexian Brothers' Hospital 3933 South Broadway, St. Louis. ""The Exorcist" Film History - This was the Actual Historic Exorcism Site Behind the Movie! a.k.a. Alexian Bro.s' Hospital and Insane Asylum. Location of the real life exorcism behind the "The Exorcist" novel and the 1973 horror film! 

"The mattress began to shake.... Arms and legs flailing. For hours he fluctuated between frenzy and calm."

In St. Louis, the exorcism, which occurred over a two month span, began in a private home. Later, the exorcism would take place on the campus of Saint Louis University and the Alexian Brothers Hospital, in a wing that was demolished in 1978. The following phrases describe an exorcism that took place in March and April of 1949. "A cadre of Jesuit priests affiliated with Saint Louis University, led by Father William S. Bowdern, the pastor of St. Francis Xavier Church, undertook the exorcism of a 14-year-old boy. They took turns praying over the boy, working to cast out the demon believed to have possessed him." This real life exorcism was the inspiration for a 1971 novel called "The Exorcist" and a1973 horror film by the same name. But the novel and film were mostly the product of William Peter Blatty's imagination, who changed the setting of the exorcism to D.C. and made the possessed child a twelve -year-old girl.

"In contrast to these works of fiction, author Thomas Allen wrote a history of the St. Louis exorcism called Possessed: The True Story of an Exorcism. Based on a meticulous 26-page diary kept by Rev. Raymond J. Bishop, the book was first published in 1993 but is now of interest to a new generation not familiar with the events." (St. Louis Public Radio | By Alex Heuer October 30, 2013)

Alexian Brothers Hospital, 3933 South Broadway "About four miles south of the Gateway Arch, near the riverfront in south St. Louis, sits a hospital with a long and troubled history -- and what its new leaders hope will be a much brighter future. Best known for being the location of the only documented exorcism in the United States, what was formerly St. Alexius Hospital on South Broadway is now South City Hospital...."The shift comes after the hospital's previous ownership faced numerous lawsuits and bankruptcy in recent years. "The Alexians, Alexian Brothers or Cellites are a Catholic religious institute or congregation specifically devoted to caring for the sick which has its origin in Europe at the time of the Black Death .They follow the Augustinian rule. The old hospital was erected at St. Louis in 1869, covered an acre with its departments for the insane, nervous diseases, and inebriates. 

"Heard Of 'The Exorcist'? This St. Louis Event Inspired It: "The Most Haunted Places in St. Louis: You may not know it, but the city of St. Louis is widely considered to be one of the most haunted areas in America. (Moonrise Hotel web site) . "Fans of the classic horror flick "The Exorcist" and the book it was inspired by will get a kick out of these locations. For those who aren't aware, the book and movie are based on a true story of demonic possession and an exorcism that occurred in St. Louis. The home was occupied by a teenage boy who allegedly became possessed after playing with a Ouija board. The possession is said to have been so severe that the boy nearly died. Although the movie depicts the exorcism as having occurred in the home, it actually took place in Alexian Brothers Hospital .After the event, the room the exorcism took place in was permanently sealed. Hospital workers and visitors claimed that strange things would happen near the room, including blasts of cold air and unexplained electrical issues. The hospital cannot be visited, as it has since been demolished and rebuilt in a new location.