Our Story & Timeline

Celebrating 142 Years of Caring

Our Story is Saint Elizabeth Community was founded in 1882 on Melrose Street in Providence by the ladies of the Grace Episcopal Church. Their mission was to provide a caring home for elderly women who were widowed or unmarried and in need of assistance.

Thirty-two years later, a fire destroyed the original structure, however, it was rebuilt and reopened in 1916. Through the 1900s Saint Elizabeth Home expanded to meet the demands of the community it served. In 1983, Saint Elizabeth Place, (formerly Westminster Place) joined the Community providing independent apartments for low-income seniors as well as those with mobility impairments and soon after, Saint Elizabeth Manor (formerly Metacom Manor) joined in 1990, allowing seniors to access the Community's signature care in the East Bay.

By 2000, it was clear that the original Melrose Street location had outlived its useful life and was in need of renovation. A capital campaign was embarked upon and in 2001, 109 residents and 175 staff members moved into the newly constructed Saint Elizabeth Home now located in East Greenwich.

By August 2003, the renovations were completed on the original Home and the historic site on Melrose Street was renamed Saint Elizabeth Court, and reopened as an assisted living facility. Saint Elizabeth Assisted Living is now home to 69 residents.

Continuing to grow and expand its services, in January 2009, Cornerstone Adult Services, Inc. became a member of Saint Elizabeth Community adding adult day services to the array of services offered by Saint Elizabeth Community. Throughout Rhode Island, four adult day health centers provide care to seniors, adults with disabilities, and adults with dementia. We have a center in Bristol, South Kingstown, and two centers in Warwick,

Also in 2009, Saint Elizabeth Community was awarded a $5.2 million grant from Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to build a 34-unit apartment building for low-income seniors with supportive services. Construction on Saint Elizabeth Terrace began in 2010 and opened in February 2012. Saint Elizabeth Apartments for Seniors is located next door to the Saint Elizabeth Adult Day, Memory Care Center in Warwick.

In October of 2015, construction began on four Saint Elizabeth GREEN HOUSE® Homes. In 2017, the innovative and new model of nursing home setting opened for admissions, the first in Rhode Island.

In 2016, Saint Elizabeth Community acquired Cathleen Naughton Associates, a respected provider of home care services. Saint Elizabeth Home Care offers an array of services such as Geriatric Care Management, Nursing Care, Therapy Services, Companions, and much more.

In April 2021, Saint Elizabeth Manor was sold to Green Tree Healthcare Management, as part of the strategic direction of the organization. Proceeds of the sale will help support growth of home and community based services, as well as the strategic goal to be the employer of choice in elder care.

Saint Elizabeth Community opened its 4th adult day center in September 2021 in South Kingstown, RI.

At the same time, the organization announced a rebranding, bringing a more contemporary look and feel to its logo and renaming entities to increase the visibility of the Saint Elizabeth name.

In March 2023, our CNA Training Program expanded to accommodate more students with more training space and an additional instructor. The Saint Elizabeth Workforce Development Center was established at 2350 Post rd, suite 101, adjacent to Saint Elizabeth Home Care and Saint Elizabeth Administrative offices.

In November 2024, The Seasons Assisted Living joins Saint Elizabeth Community. The Seasons East Greenwich is a nonprofit assisted living residence offering traditional assisted living and a memory care neighborhood.  Founded in 2002, the leadership team at The Seasons has continued the legacy of excellence established by its founders, Steere House and Scandinavian Home. Saint Elizabeth Community will now offer two options for assisted living: the residence in Providence that has been providing affordable, gracious living for decades and The Seasons in East Greenwich, giving Rhode Island elders even more options.

Saint Elizabeth Community is a nonprofit, nonsectarian, charitable organization that provides a full spectrum of quality care to older adults and people with physical disabilities. Founded in Providence in 1882, the community now has thirteen Rhode Island locations offering apartments for independent seniors, home care services, adult day centers, affordable assisted living, skilled nursing and rehabilitation care. With its nonprofit, mission-based focus, superior staff ratios, and reputation for innovative and compassionate care, Saint Elizabeth Community prides itself on being the organization where RI seniors come first.