Messiah Lifeways® celebrates breaking ground on its new campus, Fernecrest
November 19, 2024
YORK, PA— On November 13, Messiah Lifeways® celebrated a milestone moment for the
organization—breaking ground on its new retirement community campus, Fernecrest, located at
100 Spanglers Mill Road in York County.
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“We stand here today laying the foundation for a place that will become home to so many; a
place where people can move into their retirement years—living with purpose, enjoying an
active lifestyle, and continuing to enrich our community with their wisdom, warmth, and
stories,” Messiah Lifeways President & CEO Karl Brummer shared during the ceremony.
“Fernecrest will be a modern expression of our mission to responsibly serve older adults with
Christ-like love.”
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Recognizing the evolution and enduring purpose of Messiah Lifeways’ mission—from its
founding in 1896 to today—former presidents George Kibler and Emerson Lesher participated in
the hammering of a nail that served as a symbolic representation of the pinning together of past
and present.
The piece of wood, sourced from a barn on the farmland property, will be displayed on the
finished Fernecrest campus.
“In connecting ‘the first and the last, the past and the present,’ we’re crafting a continuum—a
journey that transcends time and generation, binding together our history and our future,”
Brummer added before the official turning of dirt. “This is the legacy of Messiah Lifeways, an
organization with roots that anchor us and aspirations that propel us.”
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Messiah Lifeways Chief Experience Officer Alicia Titus also extended a heartfelt thank you to
the partners whose guidance and support have brought them to this culminating point—Vice
President of the Messiah Lifeways Board, Kyle Petty, and representatives from Benchmark
Construction, RLPS Architects, and Garman Builders—all of whom were part of the turning of
the dirt.
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“We saw an opportunity to create a new chapter in the story of Messiah Lifeways, a story that
will transcend time and generation, binding together our history and our future,” Titus said.
“And, we’re making it a reality.”
About Fernecrest:
The Fernecrest campus will feature 15 floor plans, ranging from apartments to courtyard homes,
cottages, and estate homes. Surrounded by scenic views and woodlands, the community will offer
modern floor plans and engaging amenities. It is also located conveniently five minutes from
downtown Camp Hill.
In addition to 131 residential living units, the initial construction phase will feature key
amenities including outdoor walking trails, a cafe-style restaurant and lounge serving New
American cuisine, a fitness center, and prime access to the Yellow Breeches Creek for fishing and
kayaking adventures.
A sample cottage is expected to be completed in early 2025, and the first residents of Fernecrest
are anticipated to move in around mid-2027. Click here to find more information about
Fernecrest.
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About Messiah Lifeways®:
Founded in 1896, Messiah Lifeways is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving older
adults throughout South Central Pennsylvania. Messiah Lifeways offers resident communities,
long-term care, rehabilitation, enrichment opportunities, and community support services to
support as many people as possible through the journey of aging. For more information, visit