We were thrilled to celebrate the groundbreaking of Fernecrest, marking an exciting milestone in this transformative project. The event brought together Fernecrest Priority Club members, project vendors, team members, and residents of Messiah Lifeways at Messiah Village for an afternoon of reflection and anticipation.

The ceremony began with a special moment: we invited two of the organization’s past presidents, George Kibler and Dr. Emerson Lesher, to join us in hammering the first nail. Their leadership, along with that of Curt Stutzman, has laid the strong foundation on which Messiah Lifeways continues to grow and thrive.

This ceremony also held deep historical significance. In 1937, the original Messiah Home on Bailey Street was demolished, and David Hensel, a member of the Brethren in Christ congregation, helped salvage the timbers and nails. Decades later, as a resident of Messiah Village, David passed a collection of those nails to the Messiah Village maintenance team, offering a symbolic connection between the past and the present. These nails became a powerful symbol of continuity.

As George and Emerson drove the first nail into the wood, it was a tribute to the wisdom, vision, and dedication these leaders have given to Messiah Lifeways. The nail, sourced from the Messiah Village campus, represented the strong foundation built by previous leaders; the wood, from the barn on the Fernecrest property, honored the rich history of this 85-acre site; and the hammer, emblazoned with the Fernecrest logo, symbolized the exciting future ahead.

The ceremony concluded with a symbolic dirt toss, followed by a reception and tours of the property, where we shared the vision for Phase One of this project. It was a day that brought together the past, present, and future of Messiah Lifeways in a truly meaningful way.