History of Rest Haven - Providence Life Services - 1960 - 1970 a Story of Providence

During an era when America was launching out into the new territory of space, Providence was launching bold new ministry ideas. After a decade of prayer and planning, we opened the first Christian nursing home in the Chicago area in 1960 for elderly saints who needed more care than their families or churches could provide. That first facility, known as Rest Haven and located in Palos Heights, IL, began with 50 beds. By 1962, we were already raising funds to double our capacity. By 1967, we had expanded to serve 195 seniors. By the end of the decade we added the Holland Home family to our association, expanding not only the number of people we served, but also the types of services we provided.

CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE 1960 - Open House and Dedication — 700 people attended		CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE 1960 - Immediately upon opening its doors, Rest Haven was full to capacity
		CLICK IMAGE ON LEFT TO ENLARGE 1960 - The First Rest Haven Board of Directors - John O. Dykema, President, Edward Van Der Molen, Vice President, Ernest Van Hattem, Secretary, John W. De Vries, Treasurer, J. Richard Mulder, Director, Henry De Young, M.D., Leonard Gorter, John Gritter, Andrew Ridderhoff, George Slater, August Vander Woude, Mrs. Robert Wood, R.N.

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The first Torchlight Dinner was a fundraising effort designed to "Keep Aflame the Lamp of Mercy at Rest Haven." Held at Chicago's McCormick Place, the event gave 961 people an opportunity to hear Dr. Ralph Blocksma, President Emeritus of the Christian Medical Society, speak. In response, they recommitted to the new ministry with prayers and financial gifts. In fact, this ministry has always been dependent on the gifts and prayers of God's people.

CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE From left to right: Souvenir program from first Torchlight dinner; Torchlight attenders; Dr. Ralph Blocksma

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Rest Haven was full to capacity from the first day it opened. Recognizing the enormous need, Rest Haven leadership began planning for expansion. By 1963, a 49-bed addition was opened — and immediately filled. Churches were again invited to celebrate God’s provision at an Open House dedicating the new addition. The far right photo shows a 1964 Fall Festival, an event hosted by the Rest Haven Women's Auxiliary that quickly became an annual tradition of food, fellowship, and fun.

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What started five decades ago as a single, Christian nursing home, quickly expanded to serve even more needs. By 1966, Rich Mulder was again presenting plans for expansion, in order to realize the dream of Christian care for aging church members.

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In 1967, construction began on a second building addition. By 1968, that addition — known as Unit 2 — was completed, and 96 more people could receive Christian care and services. Mr. and Mrs. Suter were the first residents to be welcomed to Unit 2.

CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE 1967 - Construction of Rest Haven's Second Building addition		CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE 1968 – Unit 2 is completed and open for business		CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE 1968 – Mr. and Mrs. John Suter, first residents of Rest Haven's Unit 2

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The end of our first decade of ministry also marked the beginning of a partnership that extended our roots by 46 years. For it was in 1969 that the Chicago Holland Union Benevolent Association (better known as the Holland Home) — an organization that had been ministering to seniors since 1914 — merged into Rest Haven Christian Services. The Holland Home met different needs than what Rest Haven was designed to meet, though the two ministries complemented each other. Rest Haven offered nursing services to elderly church members who were sick or needed medical care their families could not provide. The Holland Home provided community living, family dining, and a range of social activities. By merging the two ministries, we could offer people a broader range of services as their needs changed.

		CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE 1969 - "Your Holland Home and your Rest Haven Home have joined hands," announced the December 1969 issue of Rest Haven News
CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE The original parsonage of the First Reformed Church of Roseland, Illinois, later became the Holland Home for the Aged.
CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE The cornerstone for a new, larger building in Roseland was laid in 1924, and the building was dedicated in 1925. The dedication ceremony was offered on two different days — the first day in Dutch, the second in English.

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