[1] The origin of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity dates back to 1854 when Father Ambrose Oschwald led a party of German immigrants from Baden to the United States to establish a Catholic community in America.
In June 1866, he brought Teresa Gramlich, of St. Nazianz, to Clarks Mills to begin teaching catechism classes to the children of Immaculate Conception Parish.
These three sisters joined Teresa Gramlich in Clarks Mills in 1867 and began their postulancy for a new religious community forming under the direction of Fr.
Sisters Mary Ann, Josepha, and Rosa along with Teresa moved to Manitowoc where a combination convent and school building had been constructed for the congregation.
November 9, 1869, the Founders' Day of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity, those five women were received into the Third Order Regular of St. Francis.
On January 22, 1962, Pope John XXII gave definitive approval for The Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity as a pontifical Congregation.
[6] Components include: Today, the Congregation serves the Church in three archdioceses (Milwaukee, Omaha, St. Louis) and in six dioceses (Columbus, Green Bay, Lincoln, Marquette, Phoenix, Tucson, and Steubenville).