Happy 75th Anniversary, Cornwall Manor Society!
In the spring of 1950, the Golden Cross Society (known today as the Cornwall Manor Society) began six months after the establishment of The Methodist Church Home in Cornwall. The Rev. Dr. Levi Zerr, Founder and Director of the Home, approached Mrs. Mildred Barnes, Conference President of the Women’s Society of Christian Service, to discuss the feasibility of organizing a society to support the Home, both financially and spiritually. Mrs. Barnes met with a core group of women who agreed to contact as many churches and individuals as possible to invite them to a meeting on October 7, 1950 at the Home. From this meeting, the Golden Cross Society of the Methodist Church Home in Cornwall was born.
Continuing strong 75 years later, the Cornwall Manor Society has over 400 members and has remained true to their mission of raising funds to fulfill an annual benevolent care pledge to Cornwall Manor, which provides assistance for residents with limited or depleted financial resources; offers social and educational activities for Personal Care and Health Center residents and purchases special needs and wish list items for Personal Care and the Health Center.
In order to fulfill their mission, the Society operates several shoppes and holds multiple fundraisers. The Gift Shop, whose origins stem from card tables set up in the Mansion, was formally organized in 1953. Known today as the “Manor Shoppe,” it opened in its current space in the Freeman Community Center in 1984 and continues to provide cards, candy, decorative items, jewelry, gifts and a convenience store.
The Curiosity Shoppe was the former boutique located in the Wellness Center which featured new-to-you clothing and household items. Campus Collectibles, a thrift store offering furniture, small household appliances, books and many more treasures, was located on the first floor of Laurel Place and was open twice a month. The two stores merged into the “Treasure Trove” and moved to a new and larger location in May 2018. The Treasure Trove features many unique and different items and you’re always guaranteed to find a bargain.
Another very active Society group, the Crafters are busy year-round making seasonal crafts and decorative items that are sold in conjunction with Society general meetings, the annual Blooms & More Festival and Cookies, Carols, Crafts & More holiday event. Many of the Crafters are also involved in the Sew4U group, which mends, alters and fixes clothing items belonging to personal care and health center residents free of charge.
Additional fundraisers take place throughout the year including – purchasing gift cards, buying out the local community theatre for a special performance, the annual Blooms & More Festival and Cookies, Carols, Crafts & More holiday event.
The annual festival began as bazaars and are the Society’s longest-running fundraiser. The first informal bazaar was held on the porch of the Mansion in October 1950, at which the Cornwall Church provided food and the member’s donated items to be sold. Bazaars were held in the spring and fall until 1987 when only the October bazaar known as the “Fall Festival” was held. In 2012, the annual fall event switched to a spring event – “Blooms & More Festival.” The Blooms Festival continues to feature an open house to allow visitors to tour grounds and buildings and has many of the same features as the bazaars like baked goods, candy, craft items, a plant sale, silent auction and much more.
The Love Gift, which ran as an annual giving campaign, is another Society special project that ran from 1972-1989. In honor of the Society’s 60th Anniversary in 2010, the Love Gift was reinstated to help support their pledge of $60,000 to sponsor a covered porch at the new health center. The generosity of many individuals enabled the Society to exceed their pledge by an additional $30,000 for the new health center. Stay tuned to learn more about The Love Gift!
At the time of the Society’s 40th Anniversary in 1980, they had contributed over $1.3 million to Cornwall Manor; today those contributions are well over $3 million. In 2019, the Society exceeded their annual pledge to Cornwall Manor to support benevolent care by $12,000. They also contributed $30,000 towards the Corson Personal Care expansion and renovation project. For the first time in the Society’s history, they contributed $100,000 to Cornwall Manor’s Benevolent Care, which was $22,000 over their 2024 pledged contribution.
Many Society projects established decades ago still continue today. Birthday and Christmas cards and gifts were given by local churches and in 1953 monthly birthday parties were established and still continue today. Local churches host a birthday party each month including fellowship, a gift and of course – birthday cake! A gift cart was created in 1981, known today as “Shoppe on Wheels,” that has twice-weekly service rounds offering snacks, candy, cards and sundries in the Health Center. The cart is still popular and health center residents look forward to interaction with the volunteers as well as selecting goodies from the cart. The Star Project organizes an annual gift drive to ensure every Personal Care and Health Center resident receives a gift on Christmas morning. Transporters transport residents within the Health Center to beauty appointments, special activities and Sunday services.
This year, the Society has an exciting lineup of events to celebrate its milestone anniversary. Alongside the usual annual events, the general meetings in March, June, and September will feature special anniversary themes. On October 28, a special event will be held in honor of National Chocolate Day. Additionally, the annual Cookies, Crafts, Carols & More event on December 6 will include a special luminary celebration. Stay tuned to Neighborhood News for more information.
Cornwall Manor is honored to have an auxiliary that works very hard to provide all that they do for Cornwall Manor residents.
