The Legion of Catholic Women was a community of Catholic women in Sydney. It was established in 1913 as the Catholic Women’s Association, and changed its name to Legion of Catholic Women in 1941. According to Francis, ‘its aim was to provide Catholic women of Sydney with a broader society, one which crossed parish boundaries and provided them with a focus for social life’ (Francis, 2004). In 1959, the Legion of Catholic Women became known as the Catholic Women’s League.
According to Doyle, the Archdiocese of Sydney bought a property in Strathfield for the Legion in 1943. In 1946, the Legion of Catholic Women established the Bethany Guest Home for Children of Sick and Expectant Mothers on the site, a building known as “Wellbeck” in Margaret Street, Strathfield. The Legion found it difficult to administer Bethany and in 1948 appealed to the Sisters of Mercy to take over. They handed over responsibility for Bethany to the Order in 1949.