Mission Statement
Bethesda is a Christian community dedicated to provide the highest quality care in the name of Christ, for the
elderly, retired, and disabled with emphases on:
- health care and nutrition
- physical fitness
- spiritual well-being
- emotional stability
- comfortable living environment
Bethesda is committed to a holistic approach in providing a continuum of care.
Bethesda is owned and operated by Mennonite Bethesda Society, inc. a 501 (c) (3) non–profit charitable organization
chartered by the State of Kansas, and has provided quality long–term care since 1899. Our employees treat our
residents with dignity and respect (as if they are our own parents and grandparents). We back our words with our
actions. It's part of who we are.
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History
Dr. Peter Richert
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The Mennonite Bethesda Society, Inc. was established in 1899 by Dr. Peter Richert and several groups of
Mennonites who were concerned about providing quality health care to the area and providing long–term
care for their elders who could no longer care for themselves. Bethesda was the first Mennonite health
care facility west of the Mississippi River serving a multi–state area. Over the 100+ year history the
institution has been known as the "Bethesda Hospital and Home" and since the closing of the hospital in
1983 it has been known as "Bethesda Home".
Many people have dedicated their lives to building a Bethesda tradition of "quality care" through the 20th century
that means as much to the community today as it did when Bethesda was founded. Ensuring that this legacy continues
is a board and management staff who are not only proud to be a part of the Bethesda tradition, but who work hard to
keep up with current trends and services in caring for the elderly.
Throughout Bethesda’s long history is reflected the institution’s ability to adapt to the needs of the residents and
the community it serves. Bethesda currently provides a full continuum of care for the retired and disabled with 57
licensed Nursing Care beds including: a 12 bed Special Care Unit for those suffering from Alzheimer's disease and
related dementias, 10 Assisted Living units, and 29 Independent Living units (duplexes), plus space for an additional
11 Independent Living unit to be built in the Emma Creek Meadows Retirement Village.
The Mennonite Bethesda Society Endowment Foundation, Inc. has been established to provide stability for Bethesda's
future with current assets of over $500,000 and is growing. The goal is for a $4 million Endowment to fund the ever
increasing $290,000 annual shortfall incurred by providing care for Medicaid residents.
Over the past 9 years the community and the three supporting Mennonite churches have contributed a generous $2.445
million toward various campaigns and operations costs, including many small ($100 – $10,000) projects that are funded
by individuals, civic clubs, memorial gifts, Sunday School classes, and various church groups.
Community members have a strong desire to have the Bethesda Home in the community to care for the elderly and disabled
of this community, and they have shown this throughout the years by their financial support and many other volunteer
supportive acts they have performed. Bethesda consistently has between 50 – 75 volunteers who log time (and many more
that don't log time) which annually equates to a value of $15,000 – $20,000 per year.
A major focus of Bethesda's mission has been and continues to be, to provide affordable / quality care and housing to
the elderly and disabled as is exemplified by it's long history of faithful community support. From its founding in
1899 by the Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church immigrants and other Mennonite Church groups, to their descendants today,
gifts have enabled the organization to continue to provide quality health care service to the Goessel community.
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- 2004 – Bethesda was awarded another 80/20 matching grant from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks to complete a $30,205 Path Lighting project for the 4 tenths mile–long ADA compliant walking path through the Emma Creek Meadows Retirement Village for the safety of the Bethesda residents and the community walkers who enjoy the exercise path.
- 2001 – A new covered front entrance and drive was completed and funded by contributions through the Kansas Community Service Tax Credit Program.
- 1998 – Bethesda was awarded a $40,000, 80/20 matching grant from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks for the development and construction of a $50,000 pedestrian walking/exercise path through the Emma Creek Meadows Retirement Village for the residents and the community to enjoy.
- 1997 – Bethesda began its largest, volunteer driven (57 volunteers) capital campaign ever attempted – a $1,025,000 campaign to fund five significant projects (Special Care Unit, Physical Therapy facility expansion and equipment, Bond Reduction, Endowment Fund, and Room Renovation). The incentive that business donors received from the Kansas Community Service Tax Credit Program and a matching grant from the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation enabled this small rural community to exceed the total campaign goal by reaching over $1,125,000 in cash and pledges. The Special Care Unit opened in August 2000 –– debt free.
- 1989 – 10 assisted living units were added and the dining room / activities room was enlarged ($750,000 bond issue project)
- 1983 – the new hospital closed permanently. The hospital beds were converted into long–term care beds
- 1973 – a new $473,000 hospital was built with donations and bond funds and the 1928 hospital facility was closed
- 1969 – a major ($500,000) addition to the home of 51 beds was added and paid for through community contributions
- 1959 – saw a new 18–bed unit added to the original home
- 1958 – a new, modern nursery was added and was funded by a grant from the Ford Foundation
- 1928 – a new $75,000 hospital was built and paid for by the community
- 1902 – a second building, with the same dimensions as the first, was built with donated funds
- 1899 – the original building (2½ story wooden structure) was built for $1,600.00, using donated labor and
materials were purchased with donated funds
This is just a brief history of Bethesda. To commemorate the celebration of our centennial in 1999, Kristine
Flaming Schmucker, local former curator of the Mennonite Historical Museum in Goessel, wrote "A Heritage of
Care" – a history of the Mennonite Bethesda Society. If you are interested in a copy of this book contact the
Administrator on the "Contact Us" page of this web site. The cost of the book is $21.95 plus shipping.
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