History

Malachi House was founded in 1988 through a pioneering effort to preserve human dignity for terminally ill individuals without full-time caregivers or financial resources.

The inspiration for the House came from the ministry of Father Paul Hritz and the St. Malachi Church parish staff who often encountered the poorest of the poor dying alone and abandoned, under bridges, in cars, deserted buildings and other unsuitable places within the city.

In an effort to help these individuals, the dream behind Malachi House began to take shape in 1986 when four turn-of-the-century row houses on Clinton Ave. near West 28th Street were donated to the church.

Founder Catherine (Kaki) O’Neill helped drive the dream to turn the houses into a warm, comfortable, caring home to serve poor, terminally ill individuals in need of a loving family and special care. As people began to step forward in support, a board was formed and renovation of the houses began.

With the help of many volunteers, trade unions and more than 100,000 donated service hours, the houses were gutted and the interiors were rebuilt to serve 10 residents. On September 28, 1988, Malachi House officially opened its doors and admitted its first resident. From the beginning, residents have been a first priority at Malachi House. Each receives care of a hospice team to help insure a comfortable and pain-free life.

Following a $2 million capital campaign in 2000, an expansion adjacent to the original home was completed in 2002, increasing capacity from 10 to 15 beds. The facility is also now complete with an updated kitchen, living room, chapel, atrium and activity room.

The facility has served more than 1,300 residents since opening.