Wesley Acres History

Over the years we have expanded and renovated Wesley Acres to offer our residents the best comforts of home. We have also added several services and programs to provide a comprehensive experience in retirement living.

1947 The Chamberlain Home and fourteen acres of land were purchased by the Iowa-Des Moines Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. Wesley Acres, Inc. is formed.

1949 Five residents move into the Chamberlain Home.

1954 Expansion: A 16-room, 2-story brick building was added to the west side of the Chamberlain Home to accommodate more residents.

1960 Merger: Wesley Acres merged with the Home for the Aged and a new building was added with nearly one hundred studio rooms.

1960 New Service: Health center care added to service line.

1968 Merger: The Iowa Home for the Sightless joined Wesley Acres.

1971 Addition: With a grant from the Ernest I. Sargent Family Foundation, a 17-apartment building was added to the east of the Chamberlain Home to accommodate independent living couples and individuals.

1975 Expansion & New Service: A 3-story Health Center was completed and the Helpful Living concept, a step between assisted living and nursing care, was introduced at Wesley Acres.

1984 Recognition: Chamberlain Home entered in the National Register of Historic Places.

1985 Addition: The historic 4-story Bolton Apartment Building was converted to 17 independent living apartments.

1985 Renovation: The Chamberlain Home Preservation Project was completed with preservation and repair of the entire Chamberlain Home.

1986 New Service: Wesley-Methodist Adult Day Care established at Wesley Acres as a joint venture of Wesley Acres and Iowa Methodist Medical Center.

1988 Expansion: 9-story Wesley Grand Apartment Building completed, adding 63 apartments.

1993 New Amenities: Wesley Acres adds a pool, spa and exercise room with a grant from Raymond and Mary Baker.

Expansion: The John Stoddard Health Center, a 2-story, 80-bed facility was completed on Acres' campus.

1999 Renovation & New Program: Phase 1 of renovations began, including addition of a Certified Assisted Living Program.

2000 New Amenity: The 1/4-mile long Furbish Nature Trail completed on campus.

2001 Expansion: John’s Harbor, a memory support center named for John Stoddard, was established at Acres.

2001 New Program: The Children’s Garden daycare relocated to the Wesley Acres Campus, bringing intergenerational activity to campus.

2002 Expansion: Bed and Breakfast for visiting guests and family members was established in the Chamberlain Mansion.

2003 Expansion: Bistro Café is added at Wesley Acres - open to residents, guests and the public.

2003 Recognition: Wesley Acres becomes a Medicare Certified Skilled Nursing Care facility.

2004 New Service: Wesley Acres adds full-time, dedicated Wellness Director to staff, focused on helping residents and employees maintain their health and well-being.