Our History
Brewster Place was founded as The Congregational Home for the Aged in 1958.
The cornerstone idea for Brewster Place was conceived in the 1950s when four Congregational churches came together to make life better for seniors. Topekan Frances Engler and her husband Roy, wanted to provide a comfortable, convenient home for Frances’ aging aunt. The couple took their idea for a senior care home and offer of ten acres of farmland to their pastor, Reverend Ned Burr McKenney.
McKenney worked with the three other Topeka Congregational churches to establish a corporate charter for The Congregational Home in 1958. Though the official corporate name remains The Congregational Home, in 1962 the property became known as Brewster Place to honor early Congregationalist, William Brewster. Brewster, a Mayflower pilgrim and Plymouth Colony leader, was known for his compassion and faith.
Sixty years to the day after ground was first broken on the flagship Redwood building, Brewster began the renovation of the same Redwood building, including adding a sixth floor. The occasion on December 2, 2022 was marked with a colorful “sky” breaking.
Six decades later, compassion and service to seniors is witnessed daily on our beautiful 35 acre campus. Brewster proudly offers nearly 400 residents a wide array of activities, amenities, and innovations to make a positive difference in their lives.
Our Vision
Brewster Place, a ministry of the United Church of Christ, will enhance the value of the entire span of life through education, research, and services.
As a mission-driven and faith-based not-for-profit organization, Brewster Place is dedicated to providing services to people of all beliefs. Our mission is to provide the services people need, when they need them, in the place they call home.
The Brewster Place name has a reputation for quality, and we will continue to enhance that reputation by sustaining a leadership role in setting standards that meet, or exceed, the expectation of those we serve.
Statement of Ethics
We are committed to respecting the dignity of those we serve and promoting their quality of life.
In all of our decisions, we shall always honor this commitment aspiring to the highest ethical standards with
- compassionate concern for individual needs,
- respect for privacy,
- openness to questions and opinions,
- confidentiality, and
- transparency.
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