Welcome to Presbyterian Homes in the Presbytery of Huntingdon

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Presbyterian Homes in the Presbytery of Huntingdon joins the PHI family

The history of PHI is not limited to the story of Ellen Parker and the people who have nurtured PHI from its inception in 1927. The Easton Home's roots date back to 1890, even though it has only been a part of the PHI family since 1994. In 2005, another great tradition was added to the PHI family

The stories of PHI and Presbyterian Homes in the Presbytery of Huntingdon are remarkably similar. In the early 1920's Carlisle and Huntingdon Presbyteries contemplated a combined approach to aging ministry. Both organizations were inspired by the generosity of individuals with a vision and a heart for caring for older persons. The gift of James C. Dysart provided Huntingdon Presbytery with the resources to begin as an independent organization in 1924. Ellen Parker's gift of her farm in Newville, Pa. in 1927 began the ministry of Presbyterian Homes.

There have been intersections between the organizations along the way. Persons living within the bounds of Huntingdon Presbytery have had relatives served by PHI, and persons living within PHI's participating presbyteries have been served by PHPH facilities. Many of our constituents have assumed that the two organizations have been related, based on our common roots in the Presbyterian Church. In 1954, there were exploratory discussions regarding the merger of the two organizations into a combined ministry. While those discussions did not result in a formal relationship, the underlying reasons for considering such a relationship remained.

Almost exactly 50 years later, when the PHPH and PHI boards initiated discussions regarding an affiliation between the two organizations, the reasons for considering an affiliation were restated:

Connection with Presbyterian Church USA - focused on presbytery relationships
Contiguous geography
Similar sized communities served
Similar ministry components - Skilled nursing, Assisted Living, Independent living, and Continuing Care retirement facilities
Commitment to providing charity care

There were a number of new reasons for revisiting this relationship:

Increasing charity needs
Pressure on funding sources (Medicare and Medicaid)
Increased regulation at state and federal level
Difficulty in attracting expertise in certain specialized health professions
The need to find new models of care and service to meet the needs and desires of a changing senior population
The desire to foster a strong connection Presbyterian churches and church members

After a year of discussion and prayer, a final decision on an affiliation agreement was reached in late 2004, with the affiliation becoming a reality on March 1, 2005. The agreement combined two of Pennsylvania's leading providers of health care, housing, and related services to seniors. Under the agreement, PHPH became one of PHI's subsidiary corporations, and will continue to serve the residents of Blair, Centre and Huntingdon Counties. PHPH Board leadership will continue with a strong local structure and a management team focused on the current and future needs of residents.