Our History
Moravian Manor Communities is celebrating a golden milestone in 2025 … 50 years of anticipating and accommodating the changing lifestyles, expectations, and needs of the people we serve!
The community started out as a dream to care for aging church members and a plot of land. Today, Moravian Manor Communities has two campuses, features different residential living neighborhoods plus comprehensive health care services, and is home to 600+ residents of all backgrounds and 275+ team members.
Click on the archival photo galleries below to get a glimpse of our community through the years.
Leadership Over the Years
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| Burr W. Beard, NHA Administrator 1973 – 1979 |
Jack S. Watson Interim Administrator December 1979 – April 1980 |
Nancy H. O’Hara, NHA Administrator, Executive Director 1980 – 1995 |
The Rev. Franklin H. Schock, NHA Executive Director 1995 – 2008 |
J. David Swartley, MBA, NHA President & CEO 2008 – Current |
Moravian Manors, Inc: 1962 – 1974
1962 – The Board of Trustees for the Moravian Home for Aged Men and Women of the Northern Province of the Moravian Church adopted a resolution to change the corporate name to Moravian Manors, Inc.
1969 – The Board of Trustees reached a consensus that “we should, if possible, build an entirely new home to accommodate our present type of guest, possibly with a small nursing wing.”
1970 – The Lititz Moravian Congregation formed a committee and the decision was made in cooperation with Moravian Manors, Inc. Board of Trustees to develop a facility on the 22.5-acre site in Lititz.
1973 – After years of planning, ground was broken for the construction of Moravian Manor.
1974 – After several months of construction and prior to the official opening of Moravian Manor, the first two cottages–#117 and 116–were completed and occupied. Between 1975 and 1979, 14 additional cottages were built along Moravian Avenue.
Moravian Manor Early Years: 1975 – 1985
1975 – On January 3, 1975, Moravian Manor Communities’ original campus opened. Manor West (now the Baer Center for Assisted Living) opened with five residents paying $15 per day. A total of 48 residential living rooms were available. During this year, Manor East (now the Health Center) opened as well as a 52-bed skilled nursing area.
1981 – To support the demand for care, a 58-bed skilled nursing addition was completed, increasing the Health Center’s capacity to 110.
1983 – 1984 – 26 Manor Greene apartments were constructed.
1986 – 1995
1986 – The East Wing was built, adding 18 more skilled nursing beds plus 20 personal care beds. That year Manor West was licensed as a personal care facility.
1996 – 2005
1987 – 1988 – Steinman Hall, our chapel/community center, was constructed.
2000 – Moravian Manor celebrated its 25th anniversary. Ground was broken for the Garden Court apartments, enhanced facilities for assisted living, and renovations to the Health Center.
2003 – 35 Garden Court apartments were opened, followed by the renovation of the McCloud Campus Center.
2006 – 2015
2009 – Construction of the South Wing was completed in 2009, creating 32 new private rooms with a “household” concept of care. Renovations also were completed to Manor East initiating a “more like home” approach and creating direct access the Herrnhut Community (memory care).
2016 – 2025
2016 – A new sister-campus, Warwick Woodlands, was welcomed, consisting of 80 carriage homes and townhomes, 54 apartments and the Oaks Campus Center to be opened in 2019. Your Neighborhood Connection, a joint partnership between Moravian Manor and another local senior living community, was created to offer life-enriching in-home care services to the Lititz community.
2017 – Moravian Manor acquired its Assisted Living licensure, expanding upon service offerings to residents.
2019 – The community embraced an amended name – Moravian Manor Communities – to reflect their growth and allow for future expansions. The original campus was renamed Founders Campus.
2022 – Community Basics and Moravian Manor Communities opened up Saxony Ridge Apartments, a 62-unit apartment building for income-qualified persons 62 or older.
2023 – Moravian Manor Communities and Morningstar Living (in Nazareth, PA), sister organizations connected with the Moravian Church in Pennsylvania, formed an affiliation. Unitas Communities was created to serve as the parent company.
2025 – Moravian Manor Communities celebrates its 50th anniversary.
