The Bethany Story...

Bethany Homestead opened in 1926 and for over 90 years has been providing a holistic approach to the care and support of the elderly and frail.

Architects original design 1924

The idea of a Home for sick and elderly Church members was first put forward in 1921 at a meeting of the Northampton Baptist Board by the Rev'd Frank Fletcher Dardis who at that time was Minister of the Princess Street Baptist Chapel. He voiced the distress felt by many in the Churches at the social and economic circumstances of some of the oldest and most respected members of the Churches. He declared ­:

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"In our Churches are men and women who have outlived their generation,' they are often too frail to manage entirely on their own; others in fair health, perhaps 'with just enough means to live, have insufficient to afford house rent. Too frequently such people as these are forced to end their days in the Poor Law Institution ".

Dardis' concern made a deep impression on the gathering and it was suggested that the Baptist Board should begin discussions with the Congregational Ministers' and Deacons' Association. Following a meeting a joint Special Committee was established in order to make a thorough investigation of the feasibility of founding a Nursing Home in Northampton for the elderly and needy members of their Churches. So the idea of founding a Homestead began; its inception and much of its subsequent growth is owed to a group of dedicated men and women within the Baptist and Congregational Churches at that time. They were successful men believers in practical Christianity who with their wives, were dedicated to the work of the Church and were able to give of their time, talents and money to the project. Since its inception many people have made their contribution to the work of the Homestead but without the vision of the Rev'd Frank Dardis and the enterprise of the initial group of men and women it is inconceivable that the work would have begun at all.

The health and quality of a society is reflected in how it respects and cares for its older members and those who suffer with ill health. One is reminded of the words in the Psalm 71:9:

"Do not cast me off in the time of old age,' forsake me not when my strength is spent".

We are reminded through the work of the Home not only of the valuable contribution to the Community and Church that has been given by those who are now elderly residents but also the important continuing part they play both as members of the Bethany Community and in the work of their Churches.
 
The Homestead is primarily concerned about a quality of life found in a shared community, of love and mutual support, a faith expressed in the action of helping people to feel they belong and they are supported in their need, bringing enrichment to their lives by the positive approach to caring for the residents by both the Bethany staff, the many volunteer workers and the members of our Churches. The words in Psalm 92:14 seem most appropriate:

"They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green"