John Zwijsen was born on August 28, 1794 in Driel, Netherlands. Since childhood, it gradually became evident that God had begun to prepare this young man for an important role in the Catholic Church of the Netherlands and his challenging task of founding two religious congregations. On December 20, 1817 John was ordained a priest and served in several parishes before he was assigned as pastor at Tilburg in 1832. It did not take long for Father Zwijsen to become aware of the great need to educate the poor children of his parish who had no opportunity of receiving an education. Divine Providence brought him in contact with three women who ardently desired to consecrate themselves to God in a special way. Monsignor John Zwijsen began his Congregation on November 23, 1832 simply to "establish a school where poor children could be taught reading, writing, sewing, and knitting". The three Sisters, assisted by twelve young women, were in charge of the school. He placed his new Foundation under the guidance of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and urged that each Sister imitate her in her "obedience of faith" to the Will of God. Convinced that this foundation was to be solely a parish effort, Monsignor refused to send his Sisters to minister in other parishes. He would assist pastors in their efforts to begin similiar organizations but his Sisters were to remain only in his parish.
	Among the first three Sisters Father Zwijsen took to serve God by educating His children was Sister Maria Michael Leijsen, born in Herenthals who had experienced a form of religious life as a Beguine (women living as a group to sanctify themselves and to help others). The other two Sisters were Sister Catherine Jansen and Sister Theresia Smits, nieces of Sister Michael. Sister Michael at that time was appointed First Superior of the small group. After two years of working diligently with the children, the Sisters of the new Congregation took Vows for the first time. This took place on February 5, 1834. At the same time 55 years old, Mother Michael Leijsen was elected as First Superior General. Mother Michael held this position for twenty years, from 1832-1852, during which time she faithfully carried out the aim and purpose of the Congregation.
	Mother Alma Lafond, Foundress of the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady Mother of the Church, entered religious life on September 7, 1932 and professed her perpetual vows on May 22, 1939. Mother first taught in the Elementary school of the Dioceses or Norwich, Connecticut and was chosen in 1954 to be the first diocesan school supervisor. Mother served in this capacity until 1962 and was greatly esteemed by the Sisters of the diocesese who grew to know her and to recognize the goodness, wisdom, and leadership qualities of this great woman. It was in 1958 that Mother Marie Alma was made Provincial Superior of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Province of the Sisters of Charity in America - a position she held until 1970 when she received permission from Pope Paul VI to begin a new autonomous Congregation of diocesan right here in America under the title Sisters of Charity of Our Lady Mother of the Church. Mother Maria Alma possessed a deep and abiding ever growing love for Jesus Christ, for the Church, and for the Congregation. Steadfast in her commitment to the mission and spirit of the Congregation, Mother Maria Alma resolved to remain faithful to her unconditional love of her divine Bridegroom, to the principles of Monsignor Zwijsen, and to witnessing to the Gospel Message as a true Daughter of the Church. It was then that Mother Maria Alma requested permission from the Holy See to begin a new Congregation of Diocesan Right. After prospering as a Diocesan Congregation for twenty-three years, the Sisters requested Pontifical recognition of the Congregation from the Holy See. This honor was granted by His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, on November 1, 1993. Having valiantly led the Congregation through turbulent times, Mother Maria Alma went to meet her Divine Bridegroom on Februry 12, 1995.
	Mother Theresita Jeannotte, First Superior General of the SCMC entered religious life on September 18, 1939 and professed her perpetual vows on May 5, 1944. Mother Theresita was an elementary school teacher at Sacred Heart School for 13 years (1945 - 1958). In 1958 Mother was appointed Novice Mistress for the American Province at the Provincial House in Baltic, Connecticut. Mother served as Novice Mistress for twelve years instructing the postulants and novices about the beauty of the vocation to religious life. Mother Thersita excelled in her postion as Novice Mistress, sucessfully leading the young Sisters to a greater knowledge of their faith and a better understanding and love for their vocation to become a Bride of Christ. After the Second Vatican Council and after the General Chapter of the Congregation in the Netherlands, Mother Maria Alma and Mother Theresita were as one in their resolve to remain faithful to the charism of Monsignor Zwijsen, to the teachings of the Church and to the vowed life as accepted by the Church as a response to their unconditional love of their Divine Bridegroom. When the Congregation received permission to become a new and autonomous congregation in 1970 Mother Theresita was appointed First Superior General.

The Motherhouse in the Netherlands