Rush Senior Gardens, 1530 Bond Ave. in East St. Louis, recently hosted a dedication and ribbon-cutting.
The senior living facility is co-sponsored by St. Paul Baptist Church and St. Andrew’s Resources for Seniors in St. Louis. Its construction and operation are funded by a $5,963,600 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Before the ceremony began, the Rev. Anita Brandon had St. Paul Baptist Church members say prayers for the building and its residents.
“To the good health, happiness, comfort, well-being, relaxation, restorative rest, safety and security of all who shall henceforth be blessed by the shelter of the roof and walls of this building,” Brandon said.
Church members responded in unity, “We dedicate this building.”
St. Paul Baptist Church members then walked through the building to see the apartments. Many members were impressed by the bathrooms and how spacious the facility was. Those who recently had moved in were open to showing their new residencies to visitors.
The three-story building features 54 one-bedroom apartments with fully equipped kitchens, living rooms and easily accessed bathrooms, along with common areas and on-site management. The amount each resident pays for rent is based on income. Residents, who must be at least 62 years old, will also have assistance in accessing health and social services.
St. Andrew’s and St. Paul’s representatives, along with Rush Senior Gardens’ first residents (who began moving in last month), officially opened the building.
Theretha Coleman, resident manager who moved in just before the ribbon-cutting, said, “I know I am secure, and the apartments are so beautiful.”
The Rev. Dr. Obie Rush, pastor of St. Paul Baptist Church, said the senior apartment community is very much needed.
“There is such a need in this area for good, affordable senior housing,” Rush said.
“I think that is why the Lord led our church to buy the nearby property – so that we could eventually build a senior community that is truly affordable and a wonderful place to live.”
Rush Senior Gardens is the 23rd senior community in Missouri and Illinois sponsored and managed by St. Andrew’s. It is the 12th St. Andrew’s-associated HUD-subsidized senior community.
“This is part of our mission to ‘empower elders and their caregivers through choices and options that foster a vital life,’” said Mary Alice Ryan, St. Andrew’s president and CEO.
“We have been so pleased to partner with St. Paul Baptist Church to make this senior community a reality. It will be of such great benefit to East St. Louis seniors.”
In addition to subsidized senior housing, St. Andrew’s (a not-for-profit in operation since 1961) also sponsors and manages retirement communities, assisted living, and skilled care nursing centers.
Grice Group Architects are the project architects for the facility; R.G. Ross Construction Co., Inc. is the contractor.
Ilan Valley, St. Paul Baptist Church member, helped with the contractors when they were building Rush Gardens.
“This building provides an outlet, and the next step is to move forward,” Valley said.
“I’m happy everything was excellent with the contractors. Everything just went well.”
Pastor Rush said, “I’m excited and, little by little, we are expanding even farther. It makes me feel good seeing the residents smile.”
For additional information on Rush Senior Gardens, visit the office, preferably in the morning, and ask for manager Rosemary Clark (618-875-9747). For other subsidized senior housing, contact Tom Loew, St. Andrew’s director of HUD Housing, at 314-867-8993.
