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Five decades of service to community

Clay Center Presbyterian Manor is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2018.

During the 1960s, First Presbyterian Church members petitioned the Presbyterian Synod and Foundation to build a Presbyterian Manor in Clay Center due to an increased need for seniors in the community.

Rev. Bill Tillman, a long-time member of the state Presbyterian foundation board, is credited with inspiring the creation of Clay Center Presbyterian Manor. George Fullington and Jim Hammel provided the first money for the project during a conversation over a cup of coffee at the old Sunflower Café.

Mrs. Ethel (George) Kreeck donated land to the project at the site of the former high school. In 1964, a planning committee of 12 members began holding meetings. Ground was broken May 7, 1967 to begin construction of a 40-bed health care center. After more than one year of construction, Clay Center Presbyterian Manor was dedicated on June 29, 1968. By October 29, 28 residents called Clay Center Presbyterian Manor home.

In 1984, the building underwent extensive remodeling and construction to turn the community into 30 assisted living/independent living residences and a 25-bed Medicare-certified health care center. The community added six independent living duplexes to the campus fifteen years later in 1999. In addition to the duplexes, the community installed the Oberg Memorial Garden for residents to enjoy an outdoor space.

Another significant renovation occurred in 2008 that added a second elevator, a chapel for worship on the main floor, and common space on the third floor. The healthcare center also added two private and two large semi-private rooms to the south end. The staff received space for educational purposes known as the Education Room as well during this time.

Today, Clay Center Presbyterian Manor has a 30-bed Medicare-certified healthcare center, 21 assisted living residences and 14 independent living residences.

Current Mission Committee members are Scott Lingle, Margaret Kelley, Cathy Affolter, Julie Hamel, Randy Carlson, Anjanette Hauserman, Preston Rook, and Kathy Bosch. Preston Rook functions as the Chair of the Mission Committee.

Join us on July 26 for our 50th Anniversary Celebration and ice cream social! We look forward to reuniting with families whose loved ones have passed through our doors. We're also inviting former committee and board members, as well as former staff, to come back and visit to celebrate, too.

We will also honor resident Harold Hartner, who was on the original committee that dreamed up Clay Center Presbyterian Manor!

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