Today, Westminster St. Augustine commemorated Westminster Communities of Florida’s 70th anniversary with an elegant winter celebration, a program with speakers highlighting its many contributions, and culminating in a champagne toast by residents.
Westminster Communities of Florida was first established as a ministry of the Presbyterian Church (USA) as Presbyterian Homes of the Synod of Florida. It began its service when the Life Plan Community today known as Westminster Manor opened in 1961. Today Westminster Communities of Florida has 23 communities spanning the state of Florida, serving more than 7,000 residents with 2,300 team members.
The evening’s event featured a Winter Wonderland-themed celebration, in elegant white, blue and silver, and décor like ice sculptures and white luminaries, and a cocktail service of salmon canapes and prime rib.
St. Johns County Commissioner Sarah Arnold celebrated the community’s service to older adults. She said, “Westminster St. Augustine does all of this with compassion and with heart. Westminster is the gold standard, and a model for any other senior living communities to follow.”
Arnold presented a special proclamation from the County Commission to Westminster St. Augustine Executive Director Debbie Pattinson and Westminster Communities of Florida Interim CEO Hank Keith. The proclamation was issued for the original date of the event, which was rescheduled from October due to the effects of Hurricane Milton. It read, in part: “Be it proclaimed, by the Board of Commissioners of St. Johns County, Florida, that October 15, 2024, is recognized as a date of commemoration with Westminster St. Augustine of the 70th Anniversary of Westminster Communities of Florida.”
LeadingAge Southeast CEO Steve Bahmer noted that Westminster serves more than 7,000 residents in 23 communities – and comes to the aid of other senior living organizations throughout Florida. “I have seen it first hand,” Bahmer said, “whether it is day-to-day service and care for older adults, or whether it is supporting other communities through hurricanes. What a thrill to be here with all of you tonight. Congratulations on seven decades!”
The attendees, including residents, future residents, team members and dignitaries, also enjoyed a presentation about the history of St. Augustine and World Golf Village from resident Bob Nawrocki, the Chief Librarian of the St. Augustine Historical Society.
Westminster St. Augustine, a Life Plan Community in World Golf Village, was established in 2001 and joined the Westminster family of communities in 2017. Keith, the Westminster CEO, celebrated the community’s recent success and its history. “This community came to us in distress in 2017, but it has been one of our fastest to turn around to strength,” he said. “Now it is growing, and we are even building new homes right across the lake from here. We are expecting the new Southpointe neighborhood to open in the spring.”
Keith also celebrated Westminster’s roots and dedication to its historic Mission. “Our organization has changed a lot and our communities have changed a lot, but our Mission and our Founding Principles have stayed the same through the decades,” Keith said. “We wouldn’t be able to celebrate this 70-year anniversary if it were not for our residents and team members. Thank you for your trust in choosing a Westminster community.”
The celebratory event culminated with a champagne toast led by Jane Blocker, chair of the Resident Council. Blocker noted that the community, established in 2001, has many years of exciting history ahead. “There’s one thing that our community can look forward to over the next 70 years, and that is that some of Westminster’s communities have second-generation residents now. The goal for the next 70 years is for Westminster St. Augustine to have some legacy of our next generation living here,” Blocker said.
Blocker concluded: “I’d like to propose a toast in thanks to Westminster Communities of Florida and in thanks to our amazing team members, who make this a great place to live every single day.”
