History and Archives

CMSS was founded in 1898 by Alice Hartwell. Alice noticed that elderly members of her congregation needed care and a place to live. In the late 1800s, no systems were in place to care for older adults – no Social Security or Medicaid support existed at the time, and families were required to take care of their aging loved ones. If seniors did not have children or a spouse who could care for them, they often needed to resort to living in the “poorhouses” of the time, which were known for their inhumane conditions.

The lack of housing and care options for older adults led many religious, professional, and social groups to create some of the earliest old-age assistance programs in the United States. At the time, it was very common for religious communities to take part in providing homes and care for older members of their faith. Alice Hartwell founded The Methodist Episcopal Old People’s Home (which later became CMSS) as part of this response to the gap in care and housing options for seniors. While we were founded by a Methodist, CMSS is a non-sectarian organization that serves individuals of all beliefs and backgrounds.

In 1898, when CMSS was officially incorporated, the organization purchased a home in Evanston (pictured above), where a group of eight women came to live. After just a year, the demand for senior housing and care increased, and the organization needed more space. The Methodist Home then moved to Chicago after William H. Bush, president of the Bush & Gerts Piano Company, gave $20,000 to construct a new building in Andersonville.

1900 – This letter was written by a reverend informing the Methodist Episcopal Old People’s Home that a woman from the congregation was seeking a place to live. Historically, it was common for houses of worship to establish ways to care for their elders.

In 1910, the Methodist Episcopal Home needed more space to address growing needs. With a generous gift from Virginia J. Kent, construction started on a new hall to create more room for residents.

1913 – This letter, stapled with a nail, was written by Mrs. R.H. Stroede to CMSS Supt. Isabelle Reeves. Mrs. Stroede had a system of donating canned fruit to the residents of the home. Once the fruit was eaten, Supt. Reeves, would send back the empty cans to be refilled. Other letters from the time reveal donors providing dozens of eggs, gifts for the holidays, and cash.

Just a decade after the construction of Kent Hall, inquiries about space in the buildings became so numerous and urgent that the Home began construction of another building – Swift Hall, with a generous gift from Mrs. G.F. Swift.

1940 – This photo of residents playing checkers and other board games was likely taken in the 1940s. The residents are seated in Kent Hall, replaced by a redevelopment in the 1970s.

In the late 1940s, Margaret W. Miller left $175,000 to the Methodist Home in her will. She stipulated that the money had to be used to construct a new building.

With a gift from Margaret W. Miller of $175,000, CMSS began constructing Miller Hall in 1950. 

The new construction was intended to add a sanatorium to the Home. “Sanatorium” is an outdated word that refers to a specialized hospital or facility where patients were brought to recover from disease or ailments.

1950 – A group of residents are seen here knitting and enjoying the sunshine. Throughout ourhistory, CMSS has offered a variety of programming and activities for the older adults we serve. Today, we offer engaging programs at various locations, including exercise classes, music therapy, and art programs.

In the 60s, CMSS established a “community of services” that extended healthcare offerings to the local community on an outpatient basis. Services included an ophthalmology clinic, an optical clinic, and a podiatry clinic.

1960 – These nurses are wearing white caps in various styles, which was typical for uniforms of the times. Before the 1970s, nurses wore white caps, which signified the nursing school they attended or their level of educational achievement.

In 1971, CMSS undertook a significant renovation to its building at 1415 W Foster. This update was a critical modernization effort for the new decade. Elevators replaced stairs, and air conditioning was added, among other upgrades.

1970 – In this photo, a resident performs a seated exercise with two young women. Chair exercises include modified movements that improve strength and range of motion. Today, we use chair exercises in several CMSS communities.

1970 – In the late 60s, CMSS established programs to provide healthcare to the local community. This “Community of Services,” as we called it, offered clinical ophthalmology, optical, podiatry, and hearing services to individuals in the neighborhood. This temporary expansion of services was meant to address a need in the area.

1972 – As a non-profit organization, CMSS has always depended on dedicated and generous volunteers to make our work possible. These eight volunteers undertook landscaping tasks on Foster Avenue, on the north face of Wesley Place. The new hall featured a medical center, skilled nursing wing, and additional space for residents.

In the 1980s, CMSS launched its transportation program, which initially operated just one day a week, providing much-needed transportation for older adults in the local community.

1984 – Though the make and model has changed, our CMSS van remains essential to our services. We provide residents with transportation to appointments and also use it to take older adults on field trips to scenic areas of Chicago.

In 1984, CMSS launched its first friendly visitor program – Neighbors Helping Neighbors. This program matched home-bound older adults with visitors to reduce social isolation and loneliness. 

By the late eighties, CMSS was ready to expand its programs and services to include affordable housing for independent older adults. CMSS constructed a building at the intersection of Glenwood and Winona to provide affordable housing for low-income older adults in the neighborhood.

1989 – The construction of Winwood began in 1989, creating CMSS’ first affordable senior housing building.

In 1994, CMSS purchased another building down the street and opened Glenwood Apartments. This 13-unit apartment provided an additional affordable housing option for low-income seniors in Andersonville. Winwood and Glenwood remain popular and in-demand residences as housing costs rise over the following decades.  

CMSS expanded its care services by establishing a Senior Home Care program in 1997. This was CMSS’ second community program that served older adults in their homes instead of in a CMSS building. As the organization entered the new millennium, this was a critical expansion of programs meant to better serve older adults.

In 2000, CMSS purchased a building at the corner of Paulina and Gregory Street. The building was previously a convent for the St. Gregory the Great Roman Catholic Church across the street. CMSS renovated the building for assisted living memory care and named it Hartwell Place after the organization’s founder, Alice Hartwell.

2019 – The Hartwell Place courtyard allows residents to enjoy nature in a comfortable and beautiful garden. Hartwell Place provides assisted living memory care to older adults. We focus on serving each individual’s unique needs and consider each person’s physical, emotional, and social health in our care.

In the mid-2000s, CMSS supported the founding of United Methodist Healthcare Recruitment, a company specializing in staffing and placement for aging service providers. CMSS also began managing the Covenant Home of Chicago, a Covenant Retirement Community just a few miles down Foster Avenue. CMSS managed the Covenant Home until 2021.

In 2015, CMSS aligned its Home Care program with SASI Home Care, based in Evanston, Illinois. SASI stands for Serving Adults. Supporting Independence. Four years later, SASI became an official CMSS service, along with Senior Connections – a friendly visitor program that promotes social connection and reduces loneliness by building intergenerational friendships.

2019 – CMSS has offered home care services since the late nineties. Today, our SASI Home Care program provides personalized care to older adults in their homes, assisted living communities, and even nursing homes when needed. As more older adults choose to age in place, programs like SASI offer the essential support that makes it possible.

At the end of 2019, CMSS expanded its continuum of care by adding West Suburban Senior Services to the CMSS network. Located in Bellwood, Illinois, West Suburban offers weekday programming, exercise classes, and educational presentations. West Suburban also provides daily meals, connects seniors to needed resources, and hosts a weekly LGBT+ group meeting. As more older adults choose to age in place, programs and services like SASI Home Care, West Suburban, and Senior Connections are expected to grow in demand.

The year 2020 marked a significant change for people worldwide when the COVID-19 global pandemic occurred. As an organization that cares for older adults, CMSS did everything possible to update safety protocols and keep residents, clients, participants, and team members safe and healthy. In surveys the following year, 97% of residents, clients, and their families said CMSS’s handling of the pandemic and safety protocols was Good or Very Good.

2022 – West Suburban Senior Services reopened its daily meal program in November 2022. Meals are offered in partnership with the Community Nutrition Network. Every weekday, older adults from the community come together for congregate dining, available for a small, suggested donation and free programming.

In 2023, CMSS kicked off a celebration of its 125^th Anniversary. We are proud to reach this milestone and celebrate 125 years of care for older adults and their families. The video below shares who CMSS is today, 125 years after our founding.