Mr. Lankenau, through his dedicated work as President of the German Hospital, now Lankenau Hospital, became concerned with the problems of older patients. He said, "It has come to my notice when aged patients were ready for discharge from the wards of the Hospital that they often begged to be allowed to remain for they had no place to go." In 1878, while on a trip abroad, Mr. Lankenau's daughter, Elise, suggested establishing a home for older adults as a memorial to his deceased wife. Mr. Lankenau then enlisted the aid of seven Deaconesses from Germany to manage such a home.

In 1886, the cornerstone of The Mary J. Drexel Home was laid at its original location near Lankenau Hospital in Philadelphia. Included within the building were a Children's Hospital, a Children's Dispensary, and the Deaconess Motherhouse and Training School. It was in 1888 that the Home and the Motherhouse were dedicated.

Mr. Lankenau was particularly concerned with the welfare of German immigrants and people of German descent in the Philadelphia area. Therefore, The Mary J. Drexel Home's residents were initially restricted to these people. Today, the Home is open to individuals regardless of national origin, race, age, color, or religion. Preference is given to Lutheran applicants since the Home is part of the social ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

When Lankenau Hospital moved, The Mary J. Drexel Home also moved to its present location. In 1953, the beautiful estate in Bala Cynwyd was purchased from Percy Clark. The architecture and decor add to the atmosphere which helps make the Home a unique one for older adults. In the 1960's, several wings were added to the Home to accommodate more residents.

The Mary J. Drexel Home is a private, not-for-profit Home governed by a Board of Trustees. Part of what makes the Home special is its close ties with the community and area churches. The Home has received assistance in the past and continues to seek support through bequests and endowments.

The legacy left by Mr. John D. Lankenau through founding The Mary J. Drexel Home was more than a building to house older men and women. His prime concern was to provide for their intellectual, spiritual, and physical needs in an atmosphere of family and togetherness. . . still recognizing that the independence of an individual should remain an inalienable privilege. For over one hundred years the administration and staff of The Mary J. Drexel Home have dedicated themselves to creating for each resident a sense of belonging to a family, rather than being another case in an institution.