St. Paul

St. Paul Homes, historically related to the United Church of Christ, has been serving the needs of residents of western Pennsylvania and the surrounding states for 140 years. Originally created in 1867 in Butler, Pennsylvania, to provide care for orphans of the Civil War, St. Paul Homes moved to Greenville nearly a century ago. While caring for orphans remained a primary focus during most of the Home's first 100 years, it broadened its mission to serve the elderly as early as the 1920s. Initially housing the elderly in homes along Eagle Street in Greenville, this portion of the Home's service was moved to the campus along PA Route 58 in 1946. The orphans and children's care program ended in 1971. The main portion of what was the Health Center was built in 1974 with further expansion and addition of the Alzheimer's Unit in the 1980s. Identifying the need for an independent living community for seniors, St. Paul Homes initiated the Cottage Colony Estates in 1973. The community grew to 58 cottages and 17 apartments. To serve seniors who needed more personal care, yet who continued to seek a level of independence, The Ridgewood assisted living facility was completed in 1995. A second assisted living facility, The Ridgewood at Shenango Valley, was built in Hermitage in 1998. This facility is a cooperative venture between St. Paul Homes and UPMC Horizon Hospital. In 2002, Cottage Colony began to expand through Woodland Cottages; single family homes. To date, 7 new cottages have been built with lots for 27 more to come over the next few years.