Senior Living Rooted in Legacy

Be yourself at EdenHill Communities. That’s what we’ve been doing for more than a century.

1906: Original Eden Home, South Presa Street in San Antonio

It all began in 1906 when Mr. and Mrs. Martin Schmidt, members of the Friedens Church in Geronimo, Texas, made a gift of $10,000 (valued today at $350,000) to the Texas District of the Evangelical Church (now the South Texas Association of the United Church of Christ) to build a home for the aged. In 1910, the “Old Folks and Pastor’s Home, Eden at San Antonio” officially opened on South Presa Street, housing up to 20 people. The chapel was added in 1922, and the home’s name changed to “Protestant Home for the Aged.”

1937: Carl & Martha Lavin

San Antonio native, Carl Lavin recounts the story of how he and his wife first met and how their life’s path has, again and again, crossed that of EdenHill. In 1932, 14-year-old Martha Dippel, as the daughter of a traveling minister, relocated from Illinois to San Antonio when her father was hired to be the superintendent of the home. Under that roof, Martha would live out the remainder of her childhood. Only a few short years after her arrival, Lavin met Dippel one evening after a church function in 1935, and at least for him, it was love at first sight. He saw her brown eyes and thought, “Now, that is a beautiful woman!” After a two year courtship, the couple married in the original chapel that was part of the home in which Dippel’s family lived and worked. The organ (circa 1904, from Germany) that boomed the Wedding March on that matrimonial day in 1937 is still played in the new chapel at EdenHill in New Braunfels.

1956: EdenHill Moves to New Braunfels

In 1956, “Eden Home for the Aged,” which is what the facility had been called since 1947, opened its new doors in New Braunfels. During years prior, the City of San Antonio had made plans to interrupt the South Presa Street location with a new system of highways. As the Eden Home Board of Directors prepared plans for a new home, the City of New Braunfels donated 6.75 acres for a campus. They broke ground in 1955, and the community still operates at this location.

1980: Five Decades of Growth and Service

Over the next five decades, there would be continuing growth and several more name changes. By the mid ‘80s when the name had been changed to “Eden Home,” the campus had grown to include the Healthcare Center, the Bihl Rehabilitation Center, Eden Heights Apartments, and many new cottages and added rooms. In 1990, the first Assisted Living area was created. Due to demand, campus growth continued into the new century, and in 2001, the new chapel was dedicated; it showcases not only the organ, but the stained glass windows salvaged from the original chapel built in 1922.

2009: New Name & Expanded Services

In 2009, the community embarked on its most recent evolution; they updated to their current moniker, “EdenHill Communities,” and began a dramatic campus redevelopment in order to meet the ever-changing needs of the residents and community. The revitalization includes the renovation of the existing campus and services, along with the addition of The Pinnacle at EdenHill: approximately 100 Independent Living private apartments, common areas, courtyards, dining venues, and a Wellness Center with personalized programs and a covered, heated swimming pool and spa.

2013: New Independent Living Addition

Upon the completion of The Pinnacle independent living apartments, EdenHill became the only Life Plan Community (Continuing Care Retirement Community) between San Antonio and Austin. The Pinnacle opened at record capacity in September 2013. The hill country craftsman-style complex offers 103 apartments, dining areas and bistro, Wellness Center with heated, covered pool, salon, library, underground parking and a variety of common spaces. Residents of The Pinnacle as well as The Village independent living cottages have access to Assisted Living, Memory Care, Rehabilitation services, and long and short term nursing care-all under one roof.

2015: New Health Care Addition

A beautiful, new health care center opened in early 2015 to provide services for EdenHill’s independent living residents when needed, as well as the greater New Braunfels community. The ground floor boasts a state-of-the-art rehabilitation center for post-hospitalization recovery. The staff of twenty-one therapists are specialized in treating patients who need physical, occupational or speech therapy. Skilled nursing services are provided 24-hours per day. Private rooms with large private baths are located on two hallways conveniently near dining and activity areas. Families and residents can shop in the Fischer Store or enjoy some time outside in the courtyard.

The second floor has 30 private rooms for residents who need long-term nursing care. A neighborhood kitchen, a family room, and activities areas surround the dining rooms. Assisted living is also located on the second floor. Lovely one-bedroom apartments and studios are personalized with the residents’ own furniture and decorations. Heritage Gardens is located on the third floor. Specialized for those with memory loss or dementia, residents enjoy private rooms and baths adjoining bright dining and activity areas. A rooftop patio provides sun and shade for gardening or enjoying being outside.