19th Century: The Modern Hospital 

The modern St John Eye Hospital was established in 1882 by the British Order of St John, during a time when ophthalmic diseases, particularly trachoma, were widespread in Jerusalem. Initially operating from a small, rented house in the Old City, the hospital moved to a larger building in 1890, expanding its capacity to provide essential eye care.

The St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital Foundation was one of three key charitable foundations of the Order. Alongside it, the St John Ambulance Association was founded in 1877 to train the public in first aid, and the St John Ambulance Brigade, which had its origins in 1873, was established to provide first aid care to the public. In 1974, the St John Ambulance Association and Brigade merged to form the current St John Ambulance Foundation.

(Pictured: The Hospital in the Old City, 1897)