The House of the Good Shepherd, originally created to provide food and shelter to impoverished members of the community and now one of the leading retirement communities in Northwest New Jersey, is celebrating its 140^th Anniversary this year. 

To mark the occasion The House, located in Hackettstown, held an anniversary event with residents and community leaders on Dec. 6 that also showcased its newly remodeled lobby and dining room.

The evening included welcoming remarks from Sue Lanza, Executive Director of The House, and Dave Sullivan, Chair of the House of the Good Shepherd’s Board of Trustees. The event also featured students from the Centenary University performing arts department singing a host of theater favorites, and guitarist Paul Sobolewski. The House was additionally presented with a New Jersey State Resolution in recognition of this milestone.     

“A wonderful night of celebration for The House,” said Lanza. “It’s a special feeling to know that The House has been an important part of the community for so many years. We look forward to many more years to come!”

The House of the Good Shepherd was established in a small, rented building in Orange, N.J. by several Episcopal congregations in 1882 to provide food and shelter to impoverished members of the community. In 1890, the Board of Trustees purchased a larger building nearby, which was expanded several times over the years, and eventually its services shifted to focus on caring for the elderly.

Recognizing a need for a more modern facilities and an interest to move to a more rural setting, The House purchased nearly 15 acres along the Musconetcong River in the early 1960s. A new state of the art nursing and residential building was completed in late 1965, and in January of 1966, 30 residents were moved from Orange to Hackettstown, still its present site. Over the years, The House has continued to expand and prides itself on a legacy of caring for seniors in a charming and safe environment.

In 1999, The Foundation for The House of the Good Shepherd was established to ensure that its services will continue long into the future. In addition to providing benevolent funds to those residents whose resources have depleted over time, the Foundation funds capital and service needs, and partners with local community organizations on many projects and initiatives. 

“We’re truly honored to continue the tradition of caring for 140 years and humble beginnings to still provide high quality care to seniors in a peaceful, serene setting here in Hackettstown,” said Lanza. 

The House of the Good Shepherd offers a host of living arrangements for seniors. To learn more about The House of the Good Shepherd, visit hotgs.org.