Humble Beginnings Following the Civil War.

Since 1865, Simpson has been meeting the needs of older adults and their families in the Philadelphia area. Simpson House is the country’s oldest retirement community, historically related to the United Methodist Church. It is now well into its second century of ministry to older adults. The roots of this ministry are traced back to the year 1865 and the end of the Civil War. Church women of Philadelphia were noted for providing care to the sick and wounded from the battlefields. With the return of peace, this energy could be channeled elsewhere.

Simpson House, once known as the Methodist Episcopal Home for the Aged, was one of the first health and welfare ministries of the Methodist Church in the Philadelphia area. From the beginning, the mission of Simpson House was to offer the highest level of senior care available in a dignified and spiritual setting. Today, Simpson House is a Continuing Care Retirement Community offering independent living and personal care, plus a full-service nursing and rehabilitation center.

As Simpson House expanded over the years, a major renovation in 1989 was undertaken to make the “Olde Main” building fully accessible and create apartments. The renovations carefully preserved the building’s original architectural character, including the grand leaded glass ceiling, while adding modern amenities.

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Simpson history

Expanding mission to new communities.

In the 1990s, Simpson House sought to expand its mission to older adults into the Philadelphia suburbs. Simpson was formed and, in January 2000, opened Simpson Meadows in Downingtown. Its beautiful campus welcomes residents seeking independent living and assisted living accommodations. Simpson Meadows also features a specially designed neighborhood for memory support.

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. Jenner’s Pond provides independent living, assisted living, rehabilitation, skilled nursing, and memory support. It has the distinction of offering some of the largest floor plans of any community in Pennsylvania and wide-open spaces.

Realizing the dream of affordable senior housing in Philadelphia.

In 2004, Simpson Gardens, an affordable housing community in Lansdowne, opened. This senior living residence fulfills a dream shared by Simpson, The Garden Church, and the residents of Lansdowne.

Inspired by their ministries, Simpson and Midtown Parish United Methodist Church collaborated to build and sustain a community for seniors in midtown Philadelphia. The vision led to a partnership with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the City of Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to develop Simpson Midtown. This senior housing residence helps address the need for affordable housing in Philadelphia.

Simpson House is the oldest Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) historically related to the United Methodist Church. The history of continuing care retirement communities in Philadelphia can be traced back to 1772 with the founding of the Kearsley Home, which, like Simpson House, was designed to care for those who had lived upright and godly lives but had fallen on hard times.

Olde Main Simpson

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Let’s Connect!

We look forward to meeting you! Call (610) 890-4470, or use the form to schedule a personal appointment, or RSVP to an event.