At The Gardens of St. Francis, we believe that it’s important to provide you with all of the resources to make your life a little easier and enjoyable. Check back often to find valuable links to information ranging from healthcare topics to area events.

Consumer Affairs

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Community information

City of Oregon
City of Toledo
The Blade – Toledo, Ohio (regional news)
Toledo News, Events, Weather & More
University of Toledo – Toledo, Ohio
Oregon Public Library - Oregon, Ohio

Local and regional attractions

Maumee Bay State Park
Huntington Center – Toledo, Ohio
Metroparks of Toledo Area
The Stranahan Theater and Great Hall – Toledo, Ohio
Toledo Botanical Garden – Toledo, Ohio
Toledo Museum of Art - Toledo, Ohio
Toledo Mud Hens – Toledo, Ohio
Toledo Opera – Toledo, Ohio
Toledo Symphony Orchestra – Toledo, Ohio
Toledo Walleye – Toledo, Ohio
Toledo Zoo - Toledo, Ohio
Valentine Theatre – Toledo, Ohio

Memberships

AARP – a membership organization leading positive social change and delivering value to people age 50 and over through information, advocacy and service.
LeadingAge – an association of not-for-profit organizations dedicated to making America a better place to grow old.
Wood County Area Office on Aging- provides many services for the 60+ population of Wood County, Ohio.

Local hospitals

Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center – Toledo, Ohio
Mercy St. Charles Hospital – Toledo, Ohio
ProMedica Bay Park Hospital – Northwood, Ohio
ProMedica St. Luke’s Hospital – Maumee, Ohio
ProMedica Toledo Hospital – Toledo, Ohio
University of Toledo Medical Center – Toledo, Ohio
Wood County Hospital - Bowling Green, Ohio

Local parishes

Epiphany of the Lord – Toledo, Ohio
Our Lady of the Lourdes – Genoa, Ohio
St. Boniface Catholic Church – Oak Harbor, Ohio
St. Ignatius Catholic Church – Oregon, Ohio
All Saints Catholic Church – Rossford, Ohio
Our Lady of Lourdes Parish - Genoa, Ohio
Our Lady Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral – Toledo, Ohio
St. Jerome Catholic Parish – Walbridge, Ohio

The Gardens of St. Francis

The Little Sisters of the Poor and CHI Living Communities announced that the two Catholic organizations signed a purchase agreement which transferred ownership of the Little Sisters of the Poor’s campus to CHI Living Communities on February 1, 2019. The new name is The Gardens of St. Francis.

“Our shared Catholic identity makes this an ideal transition for the residents, families, and community,” said Rick Ryan, President/CEO of CHI Living Communities. “Like the Little Sisters of the Poor, our core values of reverence, integrity, compassion, and excellence center on our profound respect for each person.” 

Most Reverend Daniel E. Thomas, Bishop of Toledo, said, “I am so pleased to learn the Little Sisters of the Poor have signed a purchase agreement with CHI Living Communities. It is my sincere hope that they will carry on the excellent work of the Little Sisters of the Poor in caring for residents with Gospel inspired values.  I look forward to the expansion of CHI Living Communities’ presence in the Diocese of Toledo as they continue the legacy of the Little Sisters of the Poor and their witness to the healing and merciful love of Christ Jesus.”

 “The Gardens of St. Francis is part of a Catholic ministry that began in northwest Ohio and is locally based. CHI Living Communities currently has 13 campuses across the United States serving more than 2,500 residents and employing over 2,000,” Mr. Ryan added. “Those shared services help us to lead with care and meet the body, mind, and spirt needs of each person in the most dignified and faith-based manner possible.”

History of The Gardens of St. Francis

The first home of the Little Sisters of the Poor opened in NW Ohio in 1885. Since this was 25 years before the establishment of the Diocese of Toledo, it was the Archbishop of Cleveland that invited the Little Sisters to establish a home and to work serving the elderly poor in what was then known as East Toledo. This small home was located on Front and Platt Streets and was deemed a temporary dwelling, to be used while a newer home was being constructed on Starr Avenue.

In 1887 the new Home opened on Starr Avenue and stayed in daily operation for 82 years. The Home was a neighborhood landmark that had four stories and was constructed from limestone. This Home served thousands of needy aged Residents up until the late 1960’s when it was decided a newer facility was needed.

In 1967 land was secured on Navarre Avenue and South Wynn Road and a new facility was constructed and opened in 1969. This expansive one-story
facility was located on 44 acres with beautiful grounds. For the next 35 years, this building served the needs of the elderly poor until it too was deemed in need of major renovation. After a thorough analysis of the building, it was decided that constructing a new structure was more cost effective than renovating the old one. So in 2004, the new Home was constructed on the same property as the existing Home. The new building, harkening back to the older Starr Avenue one, is a three-story facility. It offers many amenities such as recreation rooms, common visiting lounges, a hobby center, in-house beauty parlor, and a physical therapy center.