Bishop Worthington had his mansion constructed adjacent to Brownell Hall, an Episcopalian girls boarding school, and its accompanying chapel, St. Matthias Episcopal Church.

[2][3] Soon after its construction, Bishop Worthington's sister and brother moved from Ohio and New York to join him living in his mansion.

Bishop Worthington is attributed with serving in Omaha until 1899;[4] however, an obituary in The New York Times states he left Nebraska in 1890.

During this early era the Worthington Hospital, named in honor of the Bishop, was built nearby at South 10th and Pierce Streets, too.

During this era, the Order of the Sons of Italy moved into 1238 South 10th Street, which was the original carriage house for the mansion.