History

Celebrating over 125 years of Caring

The Saint Elizabeth Community was founded in 1882 on Melrose Street in Providence by the ladies of the Grace Episcopal Church. Their mission was to provide a caring home for elderly women who were widowed or unmarried and in need of assistance. Thirty-two years later, a fire destroyed the original structure, however, it was rebuilt and reopened in 1916. Through the 1900s Saint Elizabeth Home expanded to meet the demands of the community it served.  In 1983, Saint Elizabeth Place, (formerly Westminster Place) joined the Community providing independent apartments for low-income seniors as well as those with mobility impairments and soon after, Saint Elizabeth Manor (formerly Metacom Manor) joined in 1990, allowing seniors to access the Community's signature care in the East Bay.

By 2000, it was clear that the original Melrose Street location had outlived its useful life and was in need of renovation. A capital campaign was embarked upon and in 2001, 109 residents and 175 staff members moved into the newly constructed Saint Elizabeth Home now located in East Greenwich.

By August 2003, the renovations were completed on the original Home and the historic site on Melrose Street was renamed Saint Elizabeth Court, and reopened as an assisted living facility.  Saint Elizabeth Court is now home to 71 residents.

Continuing to grow and expand its services, in January 2009, Cornerstone Adult Services, Inc. became a member of Saint Elizabeth Community adding adult day services to the array of services offered by Saint Elizabeth Community.  Cornerstone has five locations in Rhode Island, including a specialized Alzheimer's Day Center in Warwick and four other adult day centers located in Warwick, Coventry, Bristol, and Little Compton. 

Also in 2009, Saint Elizabeth Community was awarded a $5.2 million grant from Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to build a 34 unit apartment building for low income seniors with supportive services.  Construction on this new building, Saint Elizabeth Terrace, began in 2010 and Saint Elizabeth Community anticipates its opening in the Fall 2011.  Saint Elizabeth Terrace is located next door to the Cornerstone Alzheimer's Day Center in Warwick.

The Saint Elizabeth Community has ten locations around Rhode Island, and the people in the Community's care have access to a full range of services from independent apartments to skilled nursing care, along with a staff who treats them with compassion and respect. Just like family.