History

The Mary J. Drexel Home was founded by John Diederick Lankenau in honor of his late wife, Mary Joanna Drexel, who died in 1873.

Born in Germany, John D. Lankenau immigrated to the United States in 1836 and married Mary Joanna Drexel in 1848. In 1869, Lankenau became president of the German Hospital that was located at 21st and Noris in Philadelphia, and was founded in 1860 by German inhabitants of the Pennsylvania city. In 1872, the hospital was relocated to Girard and Corinthian Avenues and occupied the existing Davidson Mansion, which later expanded.

In 1882, Lankenau established a “Home for Aged German Men and Women” and named it in honor of his late wife. A large building was built beside the German Hospital and became the Mary J. Drexel Home.

In 1884, a Deaconess Community from Germany relocated to Philadelphia to operate a home for the aged, a school for girls and a children’s hospital. The Deaconesses, traditionally trained in more advanced nursing techniques, were committed to providing loving care to the young and old alike. In 1888, the Home and the Motherhouse were dedicated.

In his will, Lankenau made provisions for the continued mission of both the German Hospital and the Mary J. Drexel Home. Later, during World War I, the hospital was renamed the Lankenau Hospital in John D. Lankenau’s honor.

In the early 1950’s, the hospital was moved to the grounds of the Overbrook Golf Club in Wynnewood, and the Mary J. Drexel Home acquired a mansion and grounds from the Clark family in Bala Cynwyd. The architecture and décor added to the atmosphere of the Mary J. Drexel Home, making it a unique residence for older adults. As the years passed, several wings were added to the Home to accommodate more inhabitants in the 1960’s.

Today, Liberty Lutheran plans to transform the Mary J. Drexel Home into a state-of-the-art Assisted Living Community to accommodate 80 residents. We look forward to watching the exciting future of our Home unfold and become part of our rich and proud history.