United Methodist Retirement Homes history

Originally formed as The Methodist Homes for the Aged of the Wyoming Conference in 1951 when annual funds were first set aside, the balance grew sufficiently to enable the purchase and operation of that first home.

UMRH was created in 1955 when 13 senior adults moved into the Methodist Retirement Home on Erwin Road in Durham, NC. Fast-forward to today, and UMRH has grown to three Life Plan Communities and one affordable housing community employing over 700 people serving more than 1,000 residents.

In 1957, Spokane United Methodist Homes was formed as a non-profit corporation doing business as Rockwood Retirement Communities.

Bayview is a 62+, Nonprofit Life Plan Community that was founded in 1961 to care for the seniors of Seattle’s Queen Anne neighborhood and beyond.

Expanded several times in the ensuing century and renamed “The Methodist Home” in 1962 the community remains as a vital ministry at this location today as United Methodist Communities at Collingswood.

The year of 1968 was as eventful year for the nation, as well as for United Methodist Homes.

It opened in 1969 and was formerly known as Methodist Manor.

The Bancroft Home was renamed Epworth Manor after being acquired by United Methodist Homes of New Jersey in 1970.

In 1975 the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Development Committee was formed, comprising clergy and lay members of the Scranton and Wilkes-Barre Districts of the United Methodist Church and other community representatives.

It became the Local Development Committee (LDC) in 1976.

In 1987, construction began on Rockwood South Hill’s private homes in Rockwood Forest Estates.

In 1994, an Alzheimer's care unit was established at Bishop Wicke.

Then, in 1999, a new Wellness Center and 30 specialized dementia care assisted living apartments were added, and the second floor of the tower was converted into assisted living apartments, adding breadth and depth to the continuum.

In 2002, Simpson acquired Jenner’s Pond, a Continuing Care Retirement Community in Southern Chester County that had been established by the Southern Chester County Medical Center.

In 2004, Simpson Gardens was opened, an affordable housing community in Lansdowne.

Today our Wesley Village campus – designated a continuing care retirement community by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 2005 – serves more than 400 residents and covers nearly 100 acres in Pittston, PA, located between Scranton and Wilkes-Barre.

In 2011, Rockwood opened Appleway Court—a senior affordable housing residence in Spokane Valley.

Later relocated and renamed Creekside in 2013.

In 2016, UMC broadened its ministry by implementing home and community-based services.

Mirador2019 In the 2nd quarter of 2019 MRC acquired Mirador in Corpus Christi.

In early September 2020, MRC completed financing for the development of its newest community, Stevenson Oaks in Fort Worth with a Ground Breaking in late September 2020.

In 2021, Bayview enters 60 years of transforming lives and looks forward to its ongoing expansion and connection between the community, within Bayview and with our neighbors in Seattle and beyond.