A history of caring.

A legacy of quality service to senior adults. 

The seeds of Aldersgate, then called The Methodist Home for the Aged, were planted in 1943.  Since that time, we've grown to become the premier Continuing Care Retirement Community in the Charlotte area. 

Below are some of the highlights we've experienced during our 60+ years of care for senior adults:

March 23, 1943: A committee is appointed to search for a location for building a home for the aged. 

August 22, 1943: Eugene M. Cole donated the 180-acre Hezekiah Alexander farm - known as the Rock House Place - to the Western North Carolina Conference of the Methodist Church for the purpose of providing a home for the aged people and superannuated Methodist preachers.  Reverend Edwin O. Cole, his brother, released Carolyn Eargle from her employment with him to become secretary and bookkeeper for the developing Methodist home, becoming the first employee of The Methodist Home. 

May 25, 1947: There was a groundbreaking ceremony and the Methodist Home building was started.  

October 11, 1947: The 'laying of the cornerstone' was held. 

June 18, 1948: The first member of The Methodist Home, Mr. T.W. Setliff, is admitted from Winston-Salem.  Capacity for The Methodist Home at this point is 35. 

Over the next ten years, two additional wings were added to The Methodist Home building, and three small apartment buildings - Alexander, Branscomb, and Cokesbury Garden Apartments - were opened.  Additionally, the first of the Azalea View Cottages were built along Forest Knoll Drive. 

December 1, 1961: A groundbreaking ceremony was held for Wesley Nursing Center, which opened with 248 skilled nursing beds in 1963.

1966: At the urging of Board member Kenneth Hobbs, a site was selected near the lake for an azalea garden. 

1969: The Supplementary Assistance Fund was started to provide assistance to residents needing financial assistance. 

During the 1970s, the Methodist Home encouraged and supported growth of community- and faith-based organizations on campus.  For instance, approximately 20 acres were leased to the Western North Carolina Conference for the purpose of building office space.  Additionally, The Mint Museum built a historical museum on campus in 1975 for the purpose of educating the public about Charlotte's history.  This museum, now the Charlotte Museum of History, attracts many visitors each year, offering a glimpse at life in Charlotte from Colonial times through today. 

1980: Asbury Care Center, an intermediate care facility, opens with 100 beds. 

November 11, 1987: A groundbreaking ceremony was held for Epworth Tower, an eight story building with 198 units. 

November 11, 1988: Wesley Nursing Center celebrates 25 years of service - over 5,200 patients have been served. 

February 1990: Residents begin moving into Epworth Tower. 

1992: The Olde Masters' Golf Course, a three-hole course designed by residents in space opened up following Hurricane Hugo in 1989, opens. 

In November 1993, Parker Terrace Assisted Living opened, offering a much-needed "in between" level of care for residents not ready for 24-hour care provided at Asbury and Wesley care centers.  Just a few years later, in response to a lack of need for such a high quantity of nursing beds, Wesley Care Center was leased to Presbyterian Healthcare System to be operated as a hospital. 

Spring 1998: Asbury Care Center is recognized for the wonderful work being done through the Eden Alternative through the award of the fifth annual Marriott Service Excellence Awards. 

Fall 1998: The North Carolina Association of Non-Profit Homes for the Aging (NCANPHA) presented Asbury Care Center with the state's Distinguished Service Award in recognition for the caring, loving, energizing and engaging lifestyle that residents enjoyed.  Additionally, Asbury was bestowed the Award of Excellence in Practice by the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging at the AAHSA Conference. 

June 15, 1999: The Board announces a new name for the community: Aldersgate, A United Methodist Retirement Community. 

Responding to the increasing number of senior adults, the Board approved an expansion project for the campus.  In November, 2000, a groundbreaking ceremony was held celebrating the commencement of construction for the expansion.  Plans for the expansion included construction of new apartments, cottages, a memory support assisted living facility, and a community center.   

April 2001: The main entrance of campus is relocated to the traffic light at the intersection of Tipperary Drive and Shamrock Drive, providing visitors and residents a safer entry to campus. 

April 25, 2002: Staff moves into Ray Hall Community Center.  Because repairs to Olde Main (the original Methodist Home building) would be costly and ineffective, the building is demolished. 

October 28, 2002: Neighborhood A of Cuthbertson Village Memory Support Assisted Living opens.  Named for Board member Rennie Cuthbertson, the facility has three neighborhoods surrounding a central "town square". 

November 4, 2002: Francis Residential Building opens.  The three-story residential facility is named for Mary Liz Francis, a resident and lifelong supporter of The Methodist Home/Aldersgate. 

June 1, 2003: A Grand Opening celebration is held commemorating the opening of the Aldersgate community. 

January 2006: The Wesley Glen community opens. 

July 2007: The Rose Garden, funded by residents, staff and board members, is planted with 17 rose bushes in front of the Community Center. 

June 21, 2008: Aldersgate celebrates the 60th anniversary of the move-in of its first member. 

July 16, 2008: Asbury Care Center receives certification for Medicare reimbursements for 31 of its 100 skilled nursing beds.

June 26, 2010: Aldersgate launches Aldersgate at Home, an in-home care service for independent residents.