The Federation of Catholic Charities purchased the ‘Johnston House’ from the Montreal Convalescent Hospital for the price of $38,000.
One of the institutions under the Federation, St. Martha’s Home, had been renting the building from the Montreal Convalescent Hospital since 1933. St Martha’s provided emergency shelter, food, and clothing for unemployed or working Catholic women unable to afford housing.
This building would eventually become known as the Catholic Centre.
FR 
EN