Hillcrest: A History

A Remarkable Retirement Community ®

In 1945, La Verne resident Martha Lear saw a need for a home for the aging members of the Church of the Brethren.  Mrs. Lear gathered 110 signatures for a petition to the Church of the Brethren District for Southern California and Arizona.  She presented the petition to the La Verne Church of the Brethren, which approved the petition and forwarded it to the District Conference.  At a specially-called District Meeting in early 1947, the Delegate Assembly approved the action and appointed a Board of Directors to oversee the development of a retirement home.  Hillcrest was incorporated on July 7, 1947.

All that was needed to complete the initial Hillcrest vision was a place to build this “Old Folks Home.” Long-time La Verne resident and rancher, J. Ross Hanawalt, found six and a half acres for sale that would become Hillcrest West.  The first cottage, a duplex, was dedicated May 1, 1949.  Later, the Manor, Breon Chapel and 10 cottages were among the first buildings built.  By 1958 the Board, remarkably, added another 29 acres to the campus, creating Hillcrest East that opened in 1961.

In 1969 Woods Convalescent Hospital (now Woods Health Services) opened, providing the East and West campuses with specialized convalescent care.  Since then, several additional facilities (such as the Assisted Living wing including a beauty parlor, activity room, lounge, and classroom; and the physical therapy room) were added and remodeled for the care and convenience of Hillcrest residents.

Hillcrest is now reinventing itself to serve a newer generation of older persons – baby boomers.  Hillcrest has undergone major renovations to accommodate the active lifestyle of this young-at-heart generation.  One bedroom cottage-style duplexes were replaced with two-bedroom single family homes with attached garages.   

Since its humble beginnings, Hillcrest has grown into the magnificent 51-acre community it is today.  Hillcrest has undergone numerous upgrades, replacements and additions including The Village Center, the state-of-the-art Aquatic and Fitness Center, the Dean Kieffaber Chapel with its beautiful hand-carved oak doors, new residential homes in Pinecrest, Birch Court, Maple Court and The Lofts, plus several upgrades to Woods Health Services.  With such dedicated supporters and a strong history, Hillcrest will continue to be A Remarkable Retirement Community® for many generations to come.