Wartburg, with its Lutheran roots and association from as early as the Civil War, has always been a shelter and a community of Christian faith for children and elders in need of a comfortable and life-giving home during years of growth and change. Our commitment to helping people of all creeds live their best life is an extension of loving our neighbor, as our faith invites us to do.
Since our last gathering as a synod, Wartburg continues to be a contemporary place for those needing senior independent housing, assisted living, skilled nursing, memory care, or an adult day program. We also have on-site partners who provide home care and will soon open outpatient rehabilitation.
We enjoy being an easy meeting place just off the Hutchinson Parkway for Metro New York Synod pastors and deacons, WELCA gatherings, Mount Vernon neighbors, and partner organizations.
Wartburg is most excited to share with the entire Metro New York Synod the completion and opening of the new Berkemeier Living Center, a memory care residence featuring 64 state-of-the-art residences, including 32 private and 32 companion suites. Those in our metro area living with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia and who seek a modern residence where music therapy and other services are provided may explore the opportunity to be among our first residents. The Living Center has four small households each of which creates an intimate and comfortable feel. Key features like short walking distances and oversized windows enhance the healing environment, with each household having its living, dining, and kitchen spaces.
The first-floor lobby and gallery showcase Wartburg’s history, featuring artifacts from 158-year history. Additionally, the first level includes event spaces, a music therapy room, and administrative offices. A healing garden in the rear yard provides outdoor seating and community space, and a path leads right to the Wartburg Chapel, which is traveled nearly every Sunday, for those who wish a volunteer to bring them to worship with United Lutheran Church. Nearby nursing and rehabilitation centers on campus benefit all residents on campus.
The Living Center is named in honor of Wartburg’s second President, the Reverend Dr. Gottlieb C. Berkemeier, who served for thirty-six years and elevated The Wartburg Orphans’ Farm School to a leading Lutheran service institution that later transformed into the current leader in senior healthcare and housing that it is today in the metropolitan New York area.
The community came out in force for the Berkemeier Grand Opening and House Blessing on April 30, 2024. It was a joyous day celebrating the realization of a contemporary healing residence and garden for some of our most vulnerable elders.
Wartburg’s variety of residences and its continuum of lifestyle care presents different opportunities to volunteer and participate in serving our senior residents. Whether a student intern or a member of the community at large, people get connected through Volunteer Services, lending their commitment and creativity to the humanities, spiritual care, music, service projects, recreation and events. Others serve on our Home and Foundation Boards. If you would like to know more about volunteering, contact Kerry Minto in Volunteer Services at 914-513-5308. If you have questions about Spiritual Care, contact The Rev. Kimberli Lile, Director of Spiritual Care.
