The Thirty Years of Mercy Oral History Project
A Digital Retrospective: 1991-2021
About the Project
In 1991, members of the Sisters of Mercy of Belmont, North Carolina, embarked on a new ministry: caring for those living with HIV/AIDS. Established at the height of the AIDS epidemic, the House of Mercy has provided a home, community, and compassion for over 300 men and women over its thirty years of ministry.
In 2019, the leadership of the House of Mercy approached the Digital Humanities program at Belmont Abbey College about collaborating on a digital retrospective celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of this health care ministry. Over the course of 2020-2021, Belmont Abbey faculty and students collaborated with HOM’s staff to capture this remarkable history.
The oral histories below were recorded amid the outbreak of the COVID-19. The arrival of the pandemic compelled interviews to take place over Zoom.
Generous support for this project came from a Community Engagement Grant from the North Carolina Humanities Council in 2020.
Project Leadership:
Dr. Daniel Hutchinson is an Associate Professor in the History Department at Belmont Abbey College, and directs the Digital Humanities program.
Latoya Gardner, J.D., is the President and CEO of the House of Mercy.
Dr. Mary Ellen Weir is an Associate Professor English at Belmont Abbey College
Student Interns & Volunteers:
Zach Aehlert, Philip Carrescia, Maureen DeGrinney, Bethany Gareis, David Girsch, Angela Harris, Alexis Rosson, Rylee Yarrington
