The History of the Baptist Home Society

In the early 1890’s, it was the vision and dream of Mrs. John Thompson of Newark to establish a home for the aged in her community.  After visiting numerous pastors and congregations, Mrs. Thompson and a group of concerned individuals met in the North Baptist Church of Newark and organized “The Baptist Home Society.”

The Board of Directors in the early 1900's. Mrs. Van Deren, Miss King, Mrs. Lawrence, Mrs. Runyon, ( President) Mrs. Bevensee, Miss Thompson, (Founder) and Mrs. Barber

It soon became obvious to the newly elected officers of The Baptist Home Society that the first order of business was to find a building.  On July 14, 1891, a house at 179 Fairmont Ave in Newark was leased and opened to the first residents.  In the first year, Mrs. Thompson became not only the founder but also the first President.

The First Annual Report mentioned there were 64 managers representing 31 churches with a Treasurer’s balance of $2,756.85.  The administrator’s salary was $200 per year, a nurse received $72 a year and the rent was $375 for the entire year.  Thanks to the generosity of many, in that first year The Baptist Home was able to care for 24 residents.

The need for a larger and permanent Home was addressed with the purchase of a site on Roseville Avenue in Newark.  The officers and managers demonstrated great faith in making this commitment. At the groundbreaking, June 9, 1910, 87 year-old Mrs. Thompson laid the cornerstone.   As a tribute to her dedication and work, the Chapel was named in her honor, “The Catherine Thompson Memorial Chapel.” 

This new facility on could accommodate over 70 residents and was completed at a cost of just over $57,000.

The Baptist Home at 285 Roseville Ave. successfully served senior citizens for over 90 years, from oil lamps to electricity, in the blackouts and air raid rehearsals of World War II.  It was not without continued investment, witness the modernization of the kitchen in 1954, and the enlargement and improvement of the infirmary.  Residents also benefited with the addition of a Beauty Parlor and the addition of a permanent residence next door for the Home’s Administrator.

The 60’s and 70’s brought other changes. The Home shifted from a Life Contract Plan to a Boarding Plan as residents came under the Medicare Bill of 1964.   Even with all of this improvement and investment, the Board began looking at the possibility of moving to a new location.  Their dream was a larger site and a new building that incorporated the advances in Senior Living that could not be retrofitted into the venerable old building on Roseville Avenue.

The search for a new site took a long time, culminating in the purchase of this 6-acre site on Eagle Rock Ave.  Now it is the belief of The Baptist Home Society that with careful planning, good people and much prayer The Cliffs at Eagle Rock will successfully serve our senior citizens well for the next one hundred years.