A Legacy of Vision and Heart: Patricia Weigel’s Cornwall Manor Story

For Patricia Weigel, Cornwall Manor isn’t just a place to live—it’s a place woven into the fabric of her life. As the granddaughter of The Rev. Dr. Levi Zerr, the visionary founder and first administrator of The Methodist Church Home at Cornwall, Trish’s connection to the community runs deep, rooted in childhood memories and family legacy.

The story of Cornwall Manor begins with the Buckingham estate, once owned by Mrs. Margaret Coleman Freeman, a generous benefactor of the Methodist Church. Upon her passing in 1945, she left instructions in her will that “something good” be done with her estate. Her nephew, William C. Freeman, honored that wish by negotiating the sale of the Buckingham Mansion, its contents, and 75 acres of land to the Philadelphia Conference of the Methodist Church for $20,000. This act of generosity laid the foundation for what would become Cornwall Manor.

Trish remembers her grandparents’ house on nearby Rexmont Road as a bustling hub of warmth and hospitality. “It had so many rooms,” she recalls, “and I helped my grandmother cook for big family dinners.” The (Methodist Church Home) campus itself was her playground—a magical, castle-like place that felt like something out of a storybook. She and her two younger brothers had free rein to explore the beautiful, open countryside, rolling down hills behind the Mansion and marveling at the pond filled with red and yellow fish.

The buildings on campus were part of her everyday adventures. She vividly remembers the infirmary, with its rows of white-sheeted beds and nurses in crisp uniforms—like stepping into a black-and-white movie. She and her brothers would walk the aisles, chatting with residents, developing a comfort and respect for aging adults that shaped her personality and worldview.

Bradley Hall, once the stable of the Buckingham estate, became another favorite stop. It housed widows of United Methodist pastors—a key part of Levi Zerr’s vision to provide safe, dignified housing for those who had lost their church-provided homes. Trish, a first grader at the time, eagerly visited each room, enchanted by the vintage glass candy jars brimming with colorful gumdrops, jelly beans, and M&Ms.

She watched the Chapel rise from the ground, attending the 1959 groundbreaking at age ten. The pink brick—tinged by sandstone—was a topic of conversation between her father and grandfather. The Chapel became a center of music and celebration, with her parents often called to play for services. Trish remembers dressing up for special programs, sometimes reluctantly, but always surrounded by rousing hymn singing and trumpet quartets.

Her grandfather’s office eventually moved to the Mansion’s music room, where Trish would visit, hiding under his desk and soaking in the excitement of his work. “He was just a grandfather with a lot of ambition and vision,” she says, remembering his joy at every milestone and his frequent updates with her father.

In 1976, Trish married Charlie Weigel, with Levi reading scripture at their wedding and sharing one of his poems at the reception. They sang a hymn Levi had written, accompanied by Trish’s father—a moment that beautifully blended family, faith, and music.

After Levi and Hazel’s passing, the family lost touch with Cornwall Manor for a time. But Charlie, a United Methodist pastor, later served on the Board of Trustees from 1993 to 2003. In 2011, they moved to neighboring Alden Place, and in 2025, they returned to Cornwall Manor as residents—bringing their story full circle.

Now living in a Carriage House apartment, Trish finds joy in the vibrant community, the opportunities to learn, and the fascinating stories of fellow residents. “There’s something for everyone,” she says. “It keeps your brain active and helps you connect with people.”

For Charlie, the move has rekindled decades-old relationships within the Methodist Conference. And for their daughters, it’s a gift—knowing their parents are safe and thriving. Trish’s grandchildren now roll down the same hill she once did, enjoy ice cream at the Manor Café, and sit with her on the Mansion porch, listening to stories of Levi’s vision.

“I think he would be thrilled beyond words to see what Cornwall Manor has become,” Trish reflects. And thanks to her memories, his legacy continues to inspire.