A small two-room hut with an even smaller courtyard housing an outdoor dispensary for women and children – this was the humble level which became the birthing ground for what is now Memorial Hospital, Fatehgarh. The Dispensary, pioneered by Dr. Anna Fullerton and her sister Ms. Mary Fullerton of the American Presbyterian Church in 1878, soon outgrew its cramped premises as the number of patients multiplied. As if in answer to Ms. Fullerton's prayers, one of her relatives left her a considerable legacy, which she selflessly dedicated to acquiring a field for the Mission Compound in 1904. Between 1910 and 1914, the dispensary was well on its way to becoming a full-fledged hospital first under Dr. Anna Young, and after 1914 under Dr. Adelaide Woodard. In 1913-14, another benefactor – Mr. Salisbury – contributed USD 5000 towards the erection of the Emma E. Salisbury Memorial Hospital for Women and Children, which was sanctioned by the Executive Committee of the Fatehgarh.
The newly erected hospital building, rightly named the Memorial Hospital as recognition of the brave souls lost in the Sepoy Mutiny, blossomed under Dr. Woodard. It was now a complete hospital with a Tuberculosis ward, X-ray room, Clinical laboratory and a School of Nursing. The ultimate vision was to build up the Fatehgarh Memorial Hospital as a mega structure that would cater to serious cases and also to act as an umbrella institution under which various dispensaries in and around Fatehgarh would handle less serious cases. Dr. Woodard pioneered many such dispensaries within a 40-mile radius and made weekly visits to them until good bus services were established. In 1916-17, Mr. Dunbar pioneered the dedication and launch of a new building for the in-patients.
This remarkable period in the life of the Memorial Hospital, Fatehgarh saw a time of great growth owing to the financial support and unfailing dedication of a number of people. In 1923, Dr. Matthew's Church in Seattle donated money for a water pump and generator, 100 beds, tables, Operating Room equipment and an X-Ray machine. Dr. Woodard was succeeded by Dr. Morris K. Crothers till 1938, Dr. and Mrs. E. Court till 1944, Dr. Lang till 1945 and Dr. Vischer till 1965. Under Dr. Vischer's able hand, the Memorial Hospital, Fatehgarh was acknowledged as the most well-equipped hospital in an 80-mile radius and housed 125 beds. Dr. Vischer handed over charge to Dr. W.G. Robinson who worked there till 1969. It was in 1969 when the hospital saw its first Indian medical superintendent – Dr. J.A. Christian.
In 1977, Dr. P.N. Matthews from Barnabas Mission Hospital, Ranchi took a firm hold on the reins of Memorial Hospital, Fatehgarh and steered it to better days once again. The torch lit by him was very capably carried on by Dr. Joel Yuhanna and Dr. Mrs. Asha Joel Yuhanna between 1990 and 1999 after which charge of the hospital was handed over to Dr. Anoop Singh for a year and subsequently to Dr. Samson Retnaraj in June 2000. Dr. Samson Retnaraj's dedicated work towards the hospital went on till July 2003, after which the hospital came under the leadership of Dr. H.J. Lyall – Secretary, UPRBHS for a short stint. In July 2004, the hospital came under –Dr. Nirmal Paul Kujur along with his wife - Dr. Puniawati Kujur and continuing their services. Mr. Himanshu Lyall, a lawyer and postgraduate in Hospital Management was placed as Administrator in the hospital in May 2014 to seek developmental avenues and take the hospitals to new heights. At present Hospital is under the leadership of Rt. Rev. Dr. P. P Habil - Chairman (Bishop of Agra, CNI) & Dr. Ajay Abel Mall - Director
Systematically organized Eye Camps became a regular feature and achievement of the hospital from 1983 onwards. Ever since Eye Camps were launched in 1983, the hospital has been carrying out cataract removal surgeries along with treatment of other eye related problems. To aid and equip the hospital in this Herculean task of organizing regular Eye camps and providing in and out-patients with the best possible services, the Christoffel Blinden Misson (CBM), Germany came forward in a big way. The possibility of and need for a separate Eye Hospital within Memorial Hospital, Fatehgarh was conceptualized. In 1996, CBM funding enabled the laying of the foundation of a building for the same in February 1996. In February 2001, a 50-bed eye hospital with both in and out-patient facilities and a specialized operation theater was commissioned by the then Bishop of Agra Diocese – The Rt. Rev. S. R. Cutting.