Rockhill Mennonite Community History

“A charming vacation place (for those seeking quiet and refinement), complete with sparkling artesian waters, high altitude, fresh air and sunshine, excellent meals…”

— This was the description of Landscape View, a Tourists’ Rest and Boarding House. A 1920s-era ad proclaimed the charms of the Sellersville house which would later become home to Katie Alderfer’s family and “guests.”

The History of RMC

Katie Alderfer, a Souderton, PA mother of five, worried about an elderly woman she knew who had a “nervous disorder” and had nowhere to live. So she brought her home. In those pre-social services days, Katie became aware that people with mental illnesses, or elderly folks without financial means who needed a convalescent environment, often had nowhere to go. She took two more women in need into her home. It was post-depression 1935.

She soon realized that a larger building was needed. The Souderton Bank invited her to look at a building they owned, a large former Tourist Home near Highland Park. Although husband Wilmer, who operated a market route in Philadelphia, was unenthusiastic at first to take on the financial responsibility, Katie rented five unheated rooms on the second floor of this house. They quickly filled up with persons who were recuperating from an illness or simply needed the extra care Katie offered them. Katie involved all her family members – including children Carolyn, Sarah, Russell and Henry – in helping with her project, and they either walked or rode the trolley from Souderton to light kerosene heaters, cook, do laundry, clean, and care for the residents.

The Bank eventually installed heat and an electric cook stove to replace the kerosene burners. Soon after, the Alderfers purchased the house, and moved into the first floor. When Wilmer gave up his market route in Philadelphia and gave full time to the endeavor, the burden on the entire family eased considerably as numbers grew. Adult son John and his wife Betty moved next door to offer full-time help as well.

Good Medicine for the Soul

Some residents of the Alderfer Home had dementia, and when they wandered off, Katie walked with them until they tired. She read the Bible and prayed with them, or played the piano or organ and they sang because she knew it was “good medicine.” Katie’s son, Russell, describing it years later, said that Katie felt singing and devotions and playing the piano had a very calming and healthy effect on those with “nervous conditions.” She was always concerned about the spiritual needs as well as the physical needs of each one and felt joy “in the guests who were a pleasure to have in the home.”

Eventually the Alderfer Home was licensed by the state of Pennsylvania to care for 32 people. Residents paid $4-6 per day for food and board and care. When the Alderfers began to plan for retirement in 1954, after caring for 150 persons, they went to their congregation, Rockhill Mennonite Church, to ask if any there were interested in picking up their vision for loving, Christian care.

Alvin Detweiler, deacon at Rockhill Mennonite Church in 1954, presented an idea to a number of church members. He suggested that they purchase the Alderfer Home in order to establish a church home for those who were “in need by means of age, infirmity or physical disability.” Within months, interested members raised $54,000 to purchase and renovate the property and launch the 30-guest Rockhill Mennonite Home, promising to continue providing loving, Christian care to those who needed it. The first Board of Directors included Sanford Alderfer, Alvin Detweiler, Jacob Detweiler, Stanley Derstine, and John Souder.

In another three years, a two-story brick addition was added along with an elevator to serve the three floors and more modern improvements for 55 “guests.” Church members again provided most of the $143,000 loans needed.

Over the years, Sewing Circles and Auxiliary women’s groups canned and froze peaches, apples, corn and beans for use in the kitchen, and community ownership and involvement in the Rockhill project remained high. Dedicated stewards, matrons, nurses, and housekeeping staffs contributed greatly to the success of the Home’s care.

By 1974, the debt-free Rockhill had purchased an 18-acre tract of adjacent farmland and creative plans were underway for a state-of-the-art new facility for apartment living and a larger nursing care facility.

In 1975, however, new state and federal regulations created a crisis: the third floor was closed and deemed unsafe for residents in case of fire. In order to keep the Home’s doors open, a sprinkler system and new fire tower had to be erected immediately. Less income, and a huge investment into an outdated building used up all Rockhill Home’s resources, and questions erupted about whether Rockhill had a financial future.

The Rockhill Board decided to take the risk and move boldly into the future to create a newly named Rockhill Mennonite Community. By 1976, a $3 million loan had been arranged from local banks and savings and loans, and building began on a modern 39-apartment and 100-bed nursing care facility.

Amid much laughter and celebration, on August 29, 1978, within a four-hour period, friends and staff moved 36 nursing patients, furniture, and equipment into their new rooms in time for lunch. The new facility was open and in business. The apartments would fill up quickly.

Bazaars, Strawberry Festivals, Chicken barbeques, and Quilt Auctions continued to invite the participation and ownership of the wider community in the following years. And Rockhill continued to grow and offer new services, including a chaplain, social worker, and therapists.

Four years later, 96 more apartments opened for independent living residents. The Adult Day Care program was created and services continued to expand. In 1991 another wing of apartments and community spaces opened. Residents enjoyed interest groups such as Knutty Knitters, Writer’s Club, computer clubs, and Bible study groups, as well as the pool and physical therapy areas, outdoor garden plots, picnic areas, and walking trails. In 1998 a personal care area opened for residents who needed help to maintain their independence. In 2004 Quiet Hills Retreat Center in Poconos was built for use by residents and other groups.

In collaboration with local service agencies, in 1991 Rockhill offered space on its campus for Penn Gardens, a supervised apartment complex run by Penn Foundation for adults with mental illness. In 2008 another collaborative project was completed with Penn Foundation which provided Wellspring Clubhouse, a program providing social, educational and vocational opportunities for adults recovering from mental illness. Jubilee House, six apartments for aging persons with developmental disabilities was opened in2009 on Rockhill’s now 44 acre main campus. Other properties have been purchased in Sellersville which will allow Rockhill Mennonite Community “to create options for the needs of the community in the future.”

Advertising copy by Rockhill Mennonite Community.