When you visit Good Shepherd Home today, you see a vibrant community where seniors can enjoy retirement and feel secure, knowing they've planned wisely for whatever the future may hold. Residents can count on our caring community to provide the health and supportive services they need during this stage of life. Yet a little more than a century ago, older people didn’t have such life-enhancing options.

 

The Brethren of Northwestern Ohio first considered the idea of making a home for the elderly in 1880. The Lick Creek congregation had proposed purchasing a farm for members being supported by the church, but with only one congregation in favor, the district tabled the suggestion. The following year, three more congregations added their support. With backing for the idea increasing, district leaders instructed church elders to lay this matter before their congregations and report their findings during the next district meeting.

 

Although the project received some encouraging support the following year, it took 10 years of fund-raising and committee planning before the project was finally approved in 1900. From this point, six thousand dollars was raised, and within two years, the locating committee purchased land in Fostoria, Ohio.

 

Trustees S.B. Newcomer, J.B. Light, G.W. Sellers, Samuel Driver and H.E. Whitmore supervised the construction, and the building was dedicated June 26, 1904, "for the care of aged persons." In 1917, the name of the Home was changed to "The Old Folks Home of the Church of the Brethren of Northwestern Ohio."  When the home was enlarged and remodeled in 1929, it was renamed The Brethren Home.

 

In 1961, the community was renamed Good Shepherd Home, and the board of trustees was enlarged to include six members appointed by the District Church of the Brethren and six members appointed by local community groups—and to include at least one woman.

 

A period of expansion kicked off in 1968, with the construction and dedication of a new sixty-bed skilled nursing unit. In 1972, thirty-two additional skilled nursing beds and forty-five additional self-care units were added. By 1974, the licensure of a few additional beds brought the total nursing capacity to 100.

 

In 2005 Good Shepherd Home secured a 1.4 million dollar grant to construct a 14 unit HUD subsidized independent living complex.

 

Today, Good Shepherd Home is a vibrant continuing care retirement community including 14 independent living villas in Good Shepherd Village, 50 assisted living residences in Brethren Court and 105 licensed nursing care residences. A recent facility-wide renovation including the implementation of "Main Street" complete with a deli, bakery, library, beauty shop, media area, Eagle Creek General Store and an enhanced chapel for residents and families to enjoy.

 

As Good Shepherd Home looks to the future, its goal is always to remain in the forefront in providing the best quality services to area seniors in an environment that feels like home.