BROOKS-HOWELL HOME HISTORY
Brooks-Howell Home is a non-profit project owned by Women’s Division of the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church. In 1956, property was purchased and a year later the first residents moved into a beautiful three-story, older home. The name Brooks-Howell Home honors Mrs. Frank G. Brooks, then president of the Woman’s Division of Christian Service and Miss Mabel K. Howell, former professor of missions at Scarritt College. That first house was located in the present garden outside the main dining room. Construction of the main building, named Bethea Building in 1988, was completed in 1961 and houses a kitchen, dining room, library, lounges, and other ancillary rooms. Nineteen suites are on the second floor, resulting from renovations in 1989. Thirty eight beds on the first floor are licensed for nursing care.
As the home grew, more land was purchased and ten Chandler-Burris Apartments were built in 1965 to accommodate up to twelve persons. Jones-Cadwallader Apartments were added in 1970, currently with fourteen apartments to house up to twenty-two persons.
As the number of residents grew, more health care space was needed. In 1977, the Cummings Health Unit was built to house twenty patients as well as a laundry, a fellowship hall, and additional storage.
Purchase of additional property allowed construction of a driveway connecting the Home with Merrimon Avenue in 1993. Also that year a cottage was completed and ten Robincroft residents arrived from Spring Valley, CA. Construction of four two-bedroom apartments near Merrimon Avenue was completed in 1995.
Better utilization of empty health care beds brought the Outreach Ministry program in 1995 to accept a number of community residents into the health units.
A village housing eleven two-bedroom apartments and an activity building were constructed in 1998. Desire for water therapy was the driving force behind the 1999 construction of an aqua-therapy pool.
In 2003, a lovely chapel, along with four apartments, was completed on what was formerly the Thoburn Terrace Roof Garden.
The Brooks-Howell Home Board of Directors supports the operation of the home under the policies and administration of Women’s Division.
The home is a member of the North Carolina Association of Non-Profit Homes for the Aging and the American Association of Homes for the Aging.
The North Carolina Department of Human Resources, Division of Facility Services, licenses the home for fifty-eight nursing beds.
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