"History of Grand Rapids, Michigan"
Baxter, 1891
Page 355

By will, the late John Clancy of this city bequeathed to the Bishop of the Diocese of Grand Rapids, the Rt. Rev. Henry Joseph Richter, in trust, the sum of $60,000 for the founding of such an institution as this asylum here. During 1888 eight acres were purchased on East Leonard street, two and a half of which were sold to St. Alphonsus Church, leaving, after the opening of Reed and Lafayette streets, about five acres of commanding and sightly grounds upon which during that summer a large wing of the projected building was completed and furnished at a cost of $27,000, and dedicated August 25, 1889. This contains apartments for the ten Sisters of the Order of St. Dominic now in charge, under Mother Angela as Superior, and pleasant accommodations for 150 orphans of ages varying from two or three to twelve years, forty-nine such inmates now enjoying this home. The Rev. Joseph Benning, of St. Andrew's, has had charge of the building. The plan of a structure to cost $75,000 will not be carried out until the demand for more room shall require it, and the balance of the legacy, which is exclusively for construction, will not be drawn upon for the present.

"History of Grand Rapids"
Goss, 1906
Pages 1287 - 1288

St. John’s Orphan Asylum had its origin in the will of John Clancy, who bequeathed $60,000 for the founding of such an institution. It was given to Bishop Richter in trust. In 1888 eight acres were purchased on East Leonard street, two and a half of which were sold to St. Alphonsus Church, one-half acre used for street purposes, and the remaining five acres constitute the grounds of the asylum. A portion of the present building, completed and furnished at cost of $27,000, was dedicated August 25, 1889. The asylum was opened with three inmates under the control of the order of St. Dominic, an American order having its origin in New York City. At first three Sisters were in charge, but as the needs of the institution increased the number of Sisters increased, until ten are now on duty in Grand Rapids. The first three inmates came from Saginaw, but Grand Rapids and vicinity soon furnished a growing school. Within a year there were nearly fifty inmates. There are now seventy-five boys and sixty girls receiving instruction and care at the institution, in charge of three teachers and ten Sisters. In 1896 the building was completed, at a cost of $75,000. The institution occupies a commanding site, and is one of the first buildings to attract the eye of a stranger in the city.

By the rules and regulations of the asylum children are received between the ages of four and eleven, and are not received for a less period than one year. The asylum is primarily for orphans and deserted children, although children and wards whose parents and guardians can aid in there support but have no homes for them are sometimes received and cared for, each case being governed and judged by its own peculiar circumstances.

Homes are often found for children without parents or friends, and friends and relatives are found for those deserted or left alone in the world. The institution is not limited in its charity and good work to the children of any race, creed or color. Any child without home or friends, whose physical and mental condition is normal, is eligible to become an inmate of St. John’s Orphan Asylum.

It is essentially, however, a Catholic institution, organized and governed by the church. Its revenues are largely derived from the church. An annual collection for its maintenance is taken in each church of the diocese. Each year there is held a supper or fair which has become a social event among all the Catholic churches of the city, and whose entire income goes for the support of the asylum. Like all institutions and societies under the control and direction of Bishop Richter, the asylum is out of debt. The beneficence of John Clancy and the careful, prudent management of the trust fund has given Grand Rapids an institution whose benefits can not be overestimated and whose blessings will increase as the years go by.