The Lutheran Hospital was opened in 1881 and closed in 1979. It served the community of East New York for almost 100 years. An article from the New York Times in August 1979 chalked up its closure to an outstanding debt of two million dollars. According to the executive director, "the hospital was receiving $168 a day per patient...while others were getting an average of $225 to $250." On August 15th, 1979, the hospital was forced to close abruptly, leaving hundreds of staffers and professionals demanding their final paycheck. The hospital was demolished in the 1980s. This 113-bed hospital was forced to close abruptly, transferring 28 patients to nearby St. Mary's and leaving 300 employees out of work.