Twilight Haven

The history of Twilight Haven, Inc reflects a deep commitment to serving the aging and senior population in the Fresno area, rooted in the values of community, care, and cooperation.

In May of 1956 at a conference of German Congregational Churches held in Biola, it was voted on to establish a home for aging and senior citizens for the members of the Fresno area churches. At the time each church interested in the proposed project was invited to nominate five members to make up a building committee chaired by Reverend Carl J. Maier. The committee was tasked with finding a location, create building plans, and formulate the business model for operating the site

Out of these meetings, two groups formed with plans on constructing separate homes for the aging. Cross Church Home for the Aging, Inc and the Twilight Manor, Inc were formed with intentions of serving people of German background and friends of the community. As each group set out on their projects it became clear that the combining the two would be of greater benefit and in 1957 a new group was formed that would become Twilight Haven, Inc. This new stronger organization was designed to be a membership operated and controlled non-profit, overseen by an elected board of directors.

Starting in May of 1957, fundraising drives were started to solicit new lifetime members and donations. Reverend Reinhold H. Klein was appointed Coordinating Director and by the end of 1957 over 700 members had joined the corporation and Twilight Haven, Inc had purchased a 10-acre site located at Heaton and Winery Avenues in Fresno. The first annual meeting of membership was held February 10, 1958.

Groundbreaking ceremonies were conducted just two years later February 14, 1960, and in 1962 Twilight Haven Inc was licensed to care for 111 persons. The successful launch of the care home allowed Twilight Haven to continue to grow the 10-acre campus and by 1972 additional apartments, residential care, and a recreational hall were constructed to accommodate 255 residents.

From 1972 to 2023 Twilight Haven, Inc supported aging and senior populations of Fresno, being a trusted place for the Fresno area community to care for their loved ones.

In 2023 Twilight Haven, Inc made a difficult decision in selling the campus and creating new ventures to continue to uphold the mission and values of the original founders.

Starting in 2024, we are in the planning phase of launching programs and services that will continue the long-standing tradition of making the lives of the aging and senior populations stronger, fulfilling, and sustainable.

History of Twilight haven, Inc was obtained from excerpts of Lutheran Cross Church 75th Anniversary Book