The Congregation of Sisters of Mercy of the Holy Cross was founded in 1856 by Fr. Theodosius Florentini OFM Capuchin and Blessed Mother Maria Theresa Scherer. In the 19th century due to the industrial revolution large number of people had been plunged into poverty and misery in Europe. Orphaned and neglected children roamed on the streets, the sick and the destitute were abandoned, industrial workers were exploited, and the educational system was rocked badly and it was in need of reform.

In such circumstances, God called and sent two great personalities, Fr. Theodosius Florentini, OFM Capuchin, a man of great vision and Mother Maria Scherer who were gifted with an extraordinary social awareness. Fr. Theodosius says "As long as there is a poor child under the sun I cannot rest." Hency they totally dedicated themselves in education, care of the sick and the poor. They felt the need to help and alleviate poverty and misery from the society. After some years, the work of compassion spread its wing from Europe to India in 1894 in Bettiah (Bihar) and then they extended its root to diffrent parts of our country.

Holy Cross Sisters with great enthusiasm and determination entered the surguja territory which is resting among the beautiful mountains and hills. The people of Sur guja were in dire need of higher education, especially for the women. Hence the need for establishing, a college here in this Rural & Tribal area of Chhattisgarh was, felt by Holy Cross sisters and it was actualized under the dynamic leadership of Sr. M. Johanna Brand Statter and Sr. Julia Erni the great Visionaries and missionaries who dedicated their entire life to serve the people of India Soil.