Our History

In the tranquil outskirts of Sellersville, PA, a Mennonite couple named Katie and Wilmer Alderfer laid the foundation for a lasting legacy by purchasing a "tourist home" on a 9.9-acre property. This venture was initially called the Rockhill Mennonite Home, and it began as a convalescent home that welcomed short-term guests. Over time, their vision of compassion and community blossomed into The Community at Rockhill, a sanctuary of inspired senior living, offering diverse care and an enriching lifestyle and experiences.

When 12 local church leaders came together in harmony, motivated by the needs of their senior congregants, they established Lutheran Community at Telford. This groundbreaking initiative, founded on a commitment to care, dignity and companionship, set a new precedent of senior living. Deeply rooted in Lutheran values, the community has flourished, continually adapting to the needs of its residents. It symbolizes quality senior living, consistently upholding its founding principles in all aspects of community life.

In June 1974, an adjoining tract of 18 acres of farmland was purchased to build a new, modern facility replacing the deteriorating Rockhill Mennonite Home. The Groundbreaking Ceremony was held on January 23, 1977, and construction was completed during the following year. Residents were moved in August 1978 and thus the "Rockhill Mennonite Community" was born. In 2015, its name was changed to what we know it as today—The Community at Rockhill—along with a new mission, vision statement and values.

On January 1, 2017, the formation of Grace Inspired Ministries marked a new era, bringing The Community at Rockhill and Lutheran Community at Telford together under a unified vision. This affiliation symbolizes a deep-seated commitment to fostering communities centered on holistic well-being. By expanding our reach and enhancing the range of services and resources offered, this strategic step reinforced our faith-driven mission to profoundly enrich the lives of seniors through exceptional care and vibrant, supportive living environments. An legacy archive of our brand assets is available online.

In 2019, just before the new year, Lutheran Community at Telford began building Summerfield, its newest cottage neighborhood, featuring open floor plans, modern finishes and customization opportunities. This multi-phase expansion was part of a master plan that began its inception in 2008. Present day, Summerfield includes a total of 66 cottages and a clubhouse for its residents, bordered by an expanded walking trail. Phase IV of the project will bring the addition of 20 spacious loft carriage homes in 2025-2026.

On June 22, 2021, Grace Inspired Ministries, in partnership with LNWA, broke ground on Sellersville Senior Residences, a 50-unit low-income rental facility designed to meet the growing demand for affordable, high-quality senior living (55+). With modern fixtures and a nurturing atmosphere, this apartment community underscores our ongoing pledge to provide supportive and cost-effective housing that caters to the needs and aspirations of our area’s senior population.

After more than a decade of subcontracting resident dining services through third-party management companies, Grace Inspired Living transitioned to an internal department with a goal to better serve its residents and began to build it from the ground up. Its Director of Culinary Services was onboarded in the very beginning of 2023 and the new program launched on March 1st. You can learn more about this major transformation through our official announcement.

Our evolution into Grace Inspired Living at the end of 2023 represented much more than a name change; it unified our mission and vision with the affiliated sister communities, renewing our dedication to supporting independent and enriching lifestyles for older adults. The foremost aspect of this crucial transition was launching a blended brand, highlighted by a new, combined parent website and an upgraded "look and feel" of our brand elements. Advancements like this one are vital to solidifying our identity and broadening our outreach within the senior living sphere. Discover all facets of our rebranding by viewing the full Press Release.

Soon after rebranding, we breathed new life into our dining venues and developed the in-house Culinary program even further. All four restaurants received a dedicated logo and, with the help of our employees, three were assigned a fitting name. New menu books and signage incorporating these sub-brands shortly followed. To top it all off, Culinary + Marketing joined forces to release a quarterly Dining Guide for residents called Graceful Table. This 10-page directory features planned seasonal events and special culinary offerings for our residents to reference right at their fingertips.

Beginning mid-2025, Grace Inspired Living is conducting its first Capital Campaign to launch two major initiatives for our CCRCs: a multi-phase upgrade of The Community at Rockhill's Healthcare Center to include private rooms and updated dining & activity spaces, and a vibrant new Life Enrichment Center at Lutheran Community at Telford by means of renovating a historic farmhouse and barn on the outskirts of its campus.