UMRC & Porter Hills history

In response to this need, a single home at 63 Clark Avenue in Ocean Grove was purchased and our organization was incorporated on April 21, 1907 as the “Monmouth Methodist Episcopal Home for the Aged.” Mrs.

The 63 Clark Avenue home in Ocean Grove was destroyed by fire on Sunday, February 6, 1916.

In 1918, United Methodist Homes were established to provide women who were destitute and aged with a home.

As the need continued to increase, the trustees purchased land for a new and much larger building in 1937.

The first residents moved from Clark Avenue to the new Methodist Home in Ocean Grove on November 29, 1949.

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.

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 two New York campuses – Elizabeth Church in Binghamton, opened in 1963, and Hilltop in Johnson City, opened in 1974 – also are continuing care retirement communities that serve roughly 200 and 400 residents respectively. It opened in 1969 and was formerly known as Methodist Manor.

Porter Hills was founded in 1970, bringing to life the vision of pastors and members of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids to provide the highest quality of care and services for older adults.

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.

The Porter Hills Foundation was officially established in 1995 as a separate 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization to serve as the fundraising arm for Porter Hills.

Likewise, the UMRC Foundation was created in 1998 to raise funds for UMRC. With Benevolent Care as its cornerstone, the combined UMRC & Porter Hills Foundation supports the faith-based mission and guiding beliefs of Brio Living Services.

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.

Simpson was formed and, in January 2000, opened Simpson Meadows in Downingtown.

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.

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

Later relocated and renamed Creekside in 2013.

Our Blog is a 2016 Platinum Generations Award Winner! The Generations Award is an annual international competition for excellence in senior marketing recognizing professionals who have communicated to the 50+ Mature Markets.

Aldersgate starts off 2019 by opening Magnolia, the first of three new apartment and villa buildings.

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, MRC will complete financing for the development of its newest community, Stevenson Oaks in Fort Worth.