history

1956

A group of Montreal Presbyterians were concerned about the well-being of the elderly members of their community. They created St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Homes Inc. which built St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Home on Cavendish Boulevard. The privately run Home was opened as a direct result of the generosity of the Presbyterian community. James and Jessie Beattie, together with their brother Donald McFarlane Benny Beattie, a Presbyterian minister in Edinburgh, donated the land for the Home.

1961

The Home opened, initially housing 50 residents with minimal health care needs. Over the years, as the population aged and medical demands grew, the Home expanded.

1970

A separate infirmary was built adjacent to the Home providing an additional 20 beds. Later, a new home with 70 beds would be built with the support of the Presbyterian community and the government of the province of Quebec.

1978

The St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Homes Foundation was created to ensure the highest level of care and support for seniors of the Home. Together with a group of dedicated Presbyterian leaders, founding President Mr. W. David Angus spearheaded the creation of the Foundation to receive donations, legacies, and other voluntary contributions. Serving as President until 2001, Mr. Angus, a lawyer and a former Canadian Senator, has made an invaluable contribution and given unwavering service to the Home and Foundation for over 50 years.

1980’S

Due to rising operating costs, it became apparent that the Home could no longer financially support itself.  The Quebec government gradually took over running the Home and the official name became “Centre d'Accueil Presbytérien St. Andrew’s.” 

1996

Official opening of a newly built Home, now with a capacity of 70 residents. The building project, which incorporated the most up-to-date standards for long-term care, was overseen by Mr. Fergus Groundwater during his much-appreciated tenure as President of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Homes Inc. from 1988 to 2001.

2001

Mr. Groundwater became the Foundation’s President, a position he held until 2014.  

2010

The Home and the land were transferred to the Quebec government, marking the end of the St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Homes Corporation. The name of the Home was officially changed to St-Andrew Residential Centre. The residents at the centre continue to enjoy a caring home-like atmosphere through the hard work of staff, volunteers, family members and the ongoing financial support of the Foundation. 

2012

Recognizing that many Presbyterian seniors want to remain in their own homes despite facing significant health challenges, the Foundation introduced the Senior Support Program.  Led by then Vice-President Mr. Bruce Bolton, this initiative continues to assist elderly Presbyterians living in their own homes to live active and productive lives.  

Also, Foundation President Mr. Groundwater led the development and building of a new state-of-the-art independent living home, Heritage Gardens in St. Lambert. The home opened in 2012 and was transferred over to a management company one year later.     

2017 AND BEYOND

The St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Homes Foundation continues to provide value-added services and equipment for the residents of the St. Andrew’s Residential Centre. The Foundation funds services and items that are not provided for by the government, but that significantly improve the quality of life for the Home’s residents.  For more information about our current work at the Home, please click here. The Foundation also continues to fund the Seniors’ Support Program, for more information please click here. 

Under the dedicated leadership of the current President Dr. David Luckow and fellow Directors of the Board, the Foundation continues to be committed to living out its motto of “Caring in Action” for our seniors.  We are pleased to be a part of today’s solution, enabling our elderly to continue to lead rich and dynamic lives.