Christian Living Communities  Historical Timeline

Christian Living Communities has a rich history of providing quality care for seniors. Our first community opened its doors more than 30 years ago, and we have continued to grow. Today, we provide care at six communities, as well as reaching seniors in their own homes through our Home Care Services.

1960s - A Time to Plan
March 1968 - A committee made up of members of the Denver-area Reformed and Christian Reformed churches, along with members of the Bethesda Hospital staff, met to discuss the possibility of building an independent nursing home for the community. The motivation for this meeting was the fact that Bethesda had recently closed its small geriatric unit.

December 1968 - This committee met with another constituent committee, the Christian Home for the Aged, and jointly they formed the University Hills Christian Nursing Home Association. Board members were elected. (George Anema, Walter Bohnet, Henry Brandsma, Don A. Jeltema, Ray Keesen, Earl Lammers, William Van Doorninck, John A. Zoetewey and Gary Zuiderveen).

1970s - A Time to Build
1970 - The final ground lease was negotiated with Bethesda, Clay David was hired as Architect for the project, and building plans are finalized.

April 1971 - Elmer Houtsma was named future Administrator

June 1971 - Don Jeltema was named the General Contractor for the project.

July 1971 -Construction of Phase I, a sixty two-bed nursing home, began

May 7, 1972 - The University Hills Christian Nursing Home opened with a Dedication Ceremony.

March 1974 - The Long-Range planning committee of the Board (Robert Tazelaar, James Bandsma, Clint Giezen, Harold Haddon, Elmer Houtsma, Don Jeltema, Ray Keesen and Wayne Vriesman) proposed an expansion of the University Hills campus; to include the retirement building (Phase II) and an additional 61 beds added to the nursing home (Phase III). The Board approved this expansion in July 1974.

March 1975 - A land purchase agreement was signed with Bethesda to buy 5 2/3 acres, including the land across the street from the nursing home. The deal finally closed in February 1979. Phase II began to take shape.

1980s - A Time to Grow
March 1982 - A loan was secured from Midland Federal and a groundbreaking ceremony began the construction of the Christian Living Center.

June 15, 1983 - The Living Center opened with great success, and was completely occupied by August 1st.

September 1984 - Groundbreaking for Phase III of the University Hills master plan. This phase increased nursing home beds to 94; added a new component - a thirty bed assisted living unit.

September 1985 - Dedication ceremonies were held for the completed Christian Living Campus - University Hills.

December 1985 - Christian Living Campus Foundation was formed to expand our ministry of service through a foundation to accept and manage donations and support programs and projects.

January 1986 - Elmer Houtsma retired as Executive Director. Assistant Administrator John Spoelstra assumed the duties of Administrator.

1986 - Now that the University Hills campus was completed the Long Range Planning Committee considered how and where to expand the work of the Christian Living Campus. Robert Mitton, of the Helen K. and Arthur E. Johnson Foundation, had expressed interest in providing money to help start a new project, specifically an Alzheimer's/dementia care community. The committee considered a site on East Arapahoe Road, just west of Holly Street.

1987 - Grants from the Helen K. and Arthur E. Johnson Foundation made it possible to purchase the property on Arapahoe Road. A campus master plan envisioned a nursing home/assisted living facility with a special unit for Alzheimer's patients (Phase I).

January 1988 - The Christian Living Community was stunned by the sudden death of John Spoelstra after only two years as Administrator. This was a very difficult time in the life of the organization, especially since John was so involved in the planning for the Johnson Center. Staff and board pulled together to continue with planning.

1989 - Robert Tamminga Construction Co. was hired as contractor and board member Don Rosendale agreed to serve as volunteer project manager.

April 25, 1989 - Groundbreaking ceremonies for the Christian Living Campus - Johnson Center were held.

November 1989 - Ernest W. Angell was appointed as the first Chief Executive Officer for the Christian Living Campus.

1990s
April 30, 1990 - The CLC-Johnson Center opened.

December 1990 - Christian Living Campus Management Services was incorporated to support and serve existing CLC corporate entities.

1996 - PorterCare Hospice opened on the Johnson Center Campus.

September 1996 - The Village at the Johnson Center opened. It included retirement apartments and assisted living apartments.

February 1998 - A Strategic Long Range Planning Committee, made up of CLC staff, board, and community members began meeting. The purpose was to make recommendations regarding possible expansion of CLC.

1998/1999 - CLC was made aware of an opportunity to purchase a piece of property at South Holly Street and East Arapahoe Road, adjacent to the Kaiser Health Clinic.

2000
September 2001 - Christian Living Campus assumed operation of Adult Day Services at Calvary Baptist Church in Denver.

January 2002 - Groundbreaking ceremonies were held at the new Holly Creek campus for 52 cottages/duplexes that would be built.

February 11, 2004 - Groundbreaking ceremonies for Phase I of the Holly Creek Community were held. Plans called for 114 entry-fee apartments.

October 24, 2004 - The Christian Living Campus Board of Directors approved a company name change to Christian Living Communities.

May 19, 2005 - Christian Living Campus Foundation's name was changed to Christian Living Communities Stewardship Fund.

June 17, 2005 - Name change from Christian Living Campus to Christian Living Communities is announced.

July 21, 2005 - Grand Opening Celebration was held for Holly Creek.

September 12, 2006 - "Wall breaking" ceremony is held at The Johnson Center for a renovation to add Adult Day Services.

January 1, 2007 - Merger of CLC University Hills, The Johnson Center, The Village and Holly Creek into Christian Living Communities.

January 23, 2007 - Groundbreaking ceremonies for Phase II of the Holly Creek Community were held. Plans called for 18 luxury apartment homes, 66 additional independent living apartment homes, and a health care center to accommodate 28 assisted living, 24 skilled care, and 12 memory-support apartment homes.