About UUHouse

About Unitarian Universalist House

Mission Statement

Unitarian Universalist House is a non-profit, non-denominational retirement community offering residential, personal care, assisted living and nursing care in a homelike setting, as well as community outreach programs and services to the homebound elderly. Our goal is to provide individualized, quality, professional care that is responsive to the physical, emotional and intellectual

needs of older adults, the elderly and frail elderly. Policies of the House shall be in keeping with the Unitarian Universalist Association’s Principles and Purposes, providing an atmosphere of dignity, love and respect for each individual.

A Brief History...

Dating from 1887, the charming Victorian mansion was originally a family home, an ambiance that continues to this day. In 1933 it was purchased by members of the Unitarian Society of Germantown to establish a home for the elderly that provided quality retirement services. The mansion was named Priestley House in honor of Joseph Priestley, a renowned English scientist and Unitarian theologian.

By the early sixties, it became evident that additional care was needed for the House’s aging population. The Benjamin Rush House was built and later expanded in the mid-seventies to accommodate those residents requiring intermediate and skilled nursing care. For the important work ahead, it was fittingly named after Dr. Benjamin Rush, Philadelphia physician and signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Unitarian Universalist House, as it is now called, incorporates both Houses and through the years has won local and international recognition as a model for retirement living.

UU House approached the new millennium with the 1998 merger with Lycoming House. Lycoming House with its capable Board of Trustees brought invaluable experience, having governed a retirement home in Philadelphia from 1943-1989, and a substantial endowment. The income from the endowment is used to supplement existing UU House programs and to extend outreach services for elderly people in the community.