The Summer 2025 edition of A Giving ‘Spirit’ is here!

In this issue, we’re celebrating the powerful impact of generosity — from legacy gifts that continue to bless lives decades later, to everyday donors making monthly gifts that change the future for residents in need.

Read it Now!

History

A Legacy of Trust

Our beginnings were modest, our mission unwavering.

On April 29, 1959, Lutheran lay people, clergy, builders and guests gathered together in York for a program of dedication for the York Lutheran Home for the Aged. That day of dedication marked the beginning of SpiriTrust Lutheran® as we know it today. Forward thinking pioneers in social ministry, however, actually had begun the process in 1950 when they studied the needs of families and the elderly in their community and then reached out to meet those needs.

Sister Charlotte Weissgerber, a prominent social service worker from Philadelphia, came to York in 1951 as the first executive director of Lutheran Welfare Service. The fledgling operation began with $9,000 and a modest office on Market Street in York. In the counties west of York, the Lutheran Inner Mission was providing similar services for individuals and families.

In 1965, Lutheran Welfare Service merged with the Lutheran Inner Mission to provide additional services throughout the entire south central Pennsylvania region. In 1995, our organization became Lutheran Social Services of South Central Pennsylvania, a name that served us well for almost two decades.

Today, SpiriTrust Lutheran is one of the leading not-for-profit organizations in the region serving nearly 6,400 people each year.

Timeline

2007
Utz Terrace Dedicated

Lutheran Retirement Village at Utz Terrace dedicated (The Village at Utz Terrace)

2008
Name Change

LHCS changes name to Lutheran Home Care & Hospice, Inc.

LIFE Center Dedicated

LIFE Center in Chambersburg dedicated

2010
VITA Begins

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program services began

Child Care Closes

Learning Tree Child Care Center closes

2012
Home Care Grows

Three Diakon Home Care programs integrate into Lutheran Home Care & Hospice (Home Care & Hospice)

2013
LIFE Center Dedicated

LIFE Center in Enola dedicated

2014
Home Health & Hospice acquired

Home health and hospice operations of Sacred Heart Hospital in Allentown acquired

2015
New Name

SpiriTrust Lutheran® name unveiled

AL & Memory Support Opening

The Village at Sprenkle Drive opens assisted living and memory support care neighborhoods

2017
LIFE Expands

LIFE expands to serve Perry County

Continuing Care Launched

Continuing Care at Home program with Friends Life Care launched

2019
Luther Ridge Adds Skilled Care

The Village at Luther Ridge skilled care & rehabilitation center dedicated, admits first residents

LPC Name Adopted

Life Plan Communities name adopted in place of retirement living

Deaf Connections Closes

Deaf Connections closes

2020
COVID-19

COVID-19 worldwide pandemic significantly impacts SpiriTrust Lutheran operations

2021
Programs Close

The following programs close: Financial Education & Coaching (January) Stephen Ministry (January) Touch-a-Life (January) Counseling Services (March) VITA (April) Domestic Abuse Solutions (June) Senior Companion (June)

2023
Skilled Care Closes

Shrewsbury Skilled Care Center closes

LIFE Closes

LIFE program closes

2024
Maryland-Based Home Health Acquired

Revival Homecare Agency assumes operation of Maryland-based home health services