Our Story
St. Leonard carries on a rich tradition of service inspired by its patron, St. Leonard of Port Maurice, a Franciscan Friar born in 1676. Located in Dayton, Ohio, St. Leonard has been dedicated to assisting seniors of all faiths since the 1980s. The journey began in the 1950s with the acquisition of 240 wooded acres, which eventually became home to the College of St. Leonard, preparing young men for the priesthood. In 1982, the Franciscans, alongside local citizens, established the St. Leonard Center to provide low-income housing for the elderly, welcoming its first resident in June 1983.