History: 1944 to Today

History 

Oregon Baptist Retirement Home (OBRH) was originally located at 2545 NE Flanders Street in Portland, Oregon. It was organized on October 19, 1944, by members of the Columbia Baptist Conference churches in and was incorporated by the State of Oregon Non-Profit Corporation Act as a 501(c)(3) corporation. The need for such a home for elderly members of the churches had long been felt and to that end there was much prayer and planning.  Dr. (Pastor) Linus Johnson's coming to Temple Baptist Church in 1939 provided the necessary leadership.

Responsibility and authority for the corporation were vested in a Board of Trustees elected by the Association at its annual meeting in November. The constitution provided that all Trustees should be from churches in the Columbia Baptist Conference. The OBRH originating Board of Trustees (pictured below, left to right) consisted of: Mrs. Ellen Holmgren,  Mr. Axel Anderson,  Mr. Carl Anderson (Trustee Emeritus),  Mr. Clifford Beeler,  Mr. Stanley Christiansen,  Miss Helen Tjernlund (Secretary), Mr. Arthur B Carlson (Treasurer),  Dr. F G Salstrom (President),  Mr. Harley K. Hallgren (Vice-President),  Mrs. Walfred Johnson,  Rev. David G Danielson,  Mrs. Linus Johnson, Mrs. Carl Larson,  Mrs. Emil G. Peterson,  Mrs. Ellen Milton,  Mrs. Arthur B Carlson,  Mr. Walter Salstrom. (Not pictured: Mr. Earl Johnson, Mrs. Ernest Johnson.)

“Contentment and security are two things man looks for, and in particular in advanced age. There is no contentment without Godliness, and no peace without the security that a home and Christian comrades offer. The Retirement Home is God’s answer to these worthy Pilgrims.”

- Dr. Linus Johnson

The first property acquired was that of the Methodist Deaconess Home on Flanders Street. The home was remodeled and dedicated as “Oregon Baptist Retirement Homes” on December 2, 1945. The Sunday church services and prayer meetings were provided by Temple Baptist Church via direct-leased-line. Other church groups and individuals expanded on the ministry by providing other programs, services and activities. Over the years, the building was expanded extending it to a block in length and two stories high, plus a full basement. The building then accommodated up to 55 residents and served well for the next five decades until fall of 1995 at which time it was sold and the residents relocated to the newly operated campus on Weidler Street in Portland.

Today

On July 1, 1987, the present 6 1/2 acre property and facility at NE 108th and Weidler Street, in Portland, was sub-leased from the Seventh Day Adventist Church and was purchased on January 30, 1996.  The buildings were then renovated and modified to add the services of state-licensed assisted living to the service spectrum of Oregon Baptist Retirement Homes. The OBRH campus now consists of 114 private apartments at Independent Living Campus and 63 private apartments at Johnson Assisted Living.

Philosophy of Care

Our approach to aging is rooted in our Christian faith. We view the advancement of years as a very normal process which people experience in various ways. OBRH, as a caring community of Christian believers, recognizes that our residents are individuals with changing needs. Perhaps our motto expresses our desire best…..

“Seniors our Concern ~

Christ our Motivation”