Grace Day Care Center Grace United Methodist Chur

In the mid-1940s, the Reverend Harry Brooks began a campaign to start a “Homes for the Aging” program out of his deep concern for the welfare of the elderly members of the Wyoming Conference of United Methodist congregations. On September 28, 1951, the Methodist Homes for the Aged was incorporated in the State of Pennsylvania.

Building on this work, the Reverend Dr. Russell Hawke, Superintendent of the Scranton District of the Wyoming Conference, helped establish a small home for the elderly that would accommodate 20 to 25 residents, planned to be the first of many. As funds became available, the Methodist Homes for the Aging of the Wyoming Conference in the State of New York was incorporated in 1958, for the purpose of expanding the program to the Binghamton and Oneonta Districts.

On February 3, 1958, the Trustees purchased a home located at 1760 North Washington Street in Scranton for $38,000. A Board of Directors was established for the purpose of managing and operating the proposed Scranton Home. The Scranton home was opened in January of 1959, housing six residents. The Scranton Home remained in operation until 1974, with 10 individuals in residence relocating to the new Hilltop Campus in Johnson City, NY, which opened in March of that year.

A second home was generously donated by Mrs. Delphine Garrett of Philadelphia. The facility was named Murray-Tufts-Garrett Manor in honor of her mother, her grandfather, and her. She also established a significant endowment, which made it possible to build a series of additions to the facility. The new addition was occupied in 1965.