Our History

A legacy of faith, inclusion and love for our neighbours

In 1945, five visionary Albertans had a vision to create a home for people who could not live on their own as a result of physical frailty, disability, chronic illness or family circumstance. Step by step and dollar by dollar, they rallied support to open their first caring community for 19 residents. They would be amazed today to see how their vision has grown – in 2016, that first residence has grown from a 4.75 acre site to care centres across central and southern Alberta.

How Our History
Has Unfolded:

1944 – Five founders, members of evangelical Lutheran congregations in Alberta, raise $10,000 to purchase the 4.75-acre Riley Estate (present site of Bethany Calgary)

1945 – Lutheran Welfare Society in Alberta incorporated

1946 – Bethany Home opened on Riley Estate, 19 guests; $300/month operating budget

1956 – Bethany Chronic Hospital, first in Alberta, 41 beds; $204,500 building/equipment cost

1975 – Name change Bethany Care Centre Calgary

1976 – Additions/renovations over time = 520 beds

1975 – Chaplaincy services initiated

1984 – Mission Statement adopted “In Christian love, to preserve and improve the quality of life of seniors and the disabled.”

1985 – Bethany Village opened

1987 – Bethany Airdrie opened

1988 – Bethany Cochrane opened

1992 – Name changed to Bethany Care Society, Mission revisited, Board and Corporate Services centralized

1997 – Wing Kei Villa opened at Bethany Calgary

1999 – Sundance on the Green opened, Riverview Village gifted to Bethany Care Society, Bethany Harvest Hills opened, first home-like care centre in Western Canada for residents experiencing the middle to late stages of dementia

2002 – Board develops Mission (Creating Caring Communities), Vision, Values; Bethany Care Foundation established

2003 – Bethany Sylvan Lake opened

2004 – All Saints Chapel moved to Bethany Cochrane, Bethany CollegeSide opened, First care centre/college integration in Canada

2006 – Quality and Service Development Department established

2009 – Bethany CollegeSide Young Adult program expanded, Organization Effectiveness division established, Strategic plan approved; Mission, Vision, Values revisited

2010 – CollegeSide Gardens opened

2011 – Construction begins on Mikkelsen House at Riverview Village

2014 – Opening of Bethany Didsbury

2016 – Groundbreaking of Bethany Riverview

2018 – Opening of Bethany Riverview

2020 – Bethany celebrates 75th year of caring for seniors and adults with disabilities