Introducing Browning Masonic Community, Springfield Masonic Community and Western Reserve Masonic Community

The History

The Ohio Masonic Communities is committed to people and dedicated to communities. Whether through embracing innovation, proactively addressing needs, or bringing dreams to life, our goal is to empower residents, staff, and community members to live their best lives and thrive.

In the early 1840s, The Grand Lodge of Ohio discussed plans to establish a home to care for aging Masons. In 1888, the Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, William B. Hillman, led a successful effort to establish The Ohio Masonic Home for the benefit of worthy, distressed Ohio Master Masons and their wives, widows, and children.

The cornerstone of The Ohio Masonic Home’s first building, Bushnell Hall, was laid in 1892 and the first resident was admitted in 1895. In addition to services for older adults, from the late 1890s to 1956 the Springfield campus also served as a Masonic Children’s Home. During that period, more than 750 children were raised alongside residents at The Ohio Masonic Home. That experience had such an impact on them that they formed an alumni association, which meets every two years at Springfield Masonic Community.

The Expansion

In 1996, The Ohio Masonic Home opened its doors to the public to partner with the community in providing excellent senior living options. In 1999 and 2001, two northern campuses, in Waterville and Medina, were added to The Ohio Masonic Home family.

In 2023, The Ohio Masonic Home began operating as The Ohio Masonic Communities. This change is reflective of the organization’s growth from the original home for Master Masons and their wives, widows, and children to their work today helping communities thrive with three senior living communities, a foundation, and a resource center. With the change, The Ohio Masonic Home Foundation began operating as The Ohio Masonic Communities Foundation and The Ohio Masonic Home Resource Center began operating as The Ohio Masonic Communities Resource Center.

The Ohio Masonic Communities continues to find ways to provide the best in senior living and be an organization and employer of choice by identifying new ways people need support, investing in innovative technologies, and inspiring people to fulfill their dreams.

Browning Masonic Community

Browning Masonic Community (BMC) is located in Waterville, Ohio, right along the Maumee River, with over 450 scenic acres. With the spacious scenery outside, and the cozy atmosphere inside, we want everyone to feel right at home from the moment they drive onto our campus. Browning Masonic Community provides independent and assisted living, as well as a memory support neighborhood.

Springfield Masonic Community

In Springfield, Ohio you’ll find Springfield Masonic Community (SMC) with over 250 acres of scenic, rolling hills. Springfield Masonic Community is a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), offering a full spectrum of care from independent living and assisted living to memory support and skilled nursing care. Springfield Masonic Community’s person-centered approach to care adjusts as each person’s needs do, so everyone can receive the support they need to live their best life without having to move to a different community.

Western Reserve Masonic Community

Right off I-71 and Route 18, just minutes from Medina’s Public Square, you’ll find Western Reserve Masonic Community (WRMC) sitting on 229 acres of land. Western Reserve Masonic Community is the only Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) in Medina County making it the only community that offers a full spectrum of care from independent living and assisted living to memory support and skilled nursing care.

The past two years have been spent expanding the footprint of Western Reserve Masonic Community. In April of 2023, 56 brand new independent living apartments opened with luxury common spaces. New assisted living common spaces were added and renovated, including a new dining room, gathering room, and movie theater. In November 2022, construction of the new state-of-the-art healthcare center was completed, consisting of 18 long-term care suites and 14 short-term care suites. An additional 18 long-term care suites will be added at the beginning of 2024. The residents and staff in the healthcare center are enjoying the new Med-Mizer beds featured in each suite. These beds, designed to pivot and raise, will enable the resident to lift themselves out of the bed and assist the staff with ambulation and transfer.

At all three communities, lifestyle is at the core of programming. Whether its chef-prepared dinners with friends, workouts in the fitness center with a certified trainer, joining a group of neighbors with similar interests for a game of pool or painting class, going ziplining, having a night out on the town at a restaurant or watching a performance, or weekly happy hours, the possibilities are endless! At The Ohio Masonic Communities, if you can dream it, the community will figure out a way to make it happen.

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Recipient of the 2023 Pinnacle Customer Experience Award

The Ohio Masonic Communities is proud to announce that they have received the 2023 Pinnacle Customer Experience Award™. This is a highly prestigious award and speaks greatly of the top-quality care offered at all three communities. Receiving this award is no small feat. Out of the 2,700 care providers and the 150,000 customer interviews conducted, this year The Ohio Masonic Communities came out in the top 15% of the nation!

Signature Events

Dream Flights is a non-profit organization established and dedicated to honoring seniors and military veterans with the adventure of a lifetime: a flight on a Boeing Stearman biplane. Dream Flights collects, preserves, and shares the stories of veterans and how they survived through times of great strife to remind us of our shared humanity, our connection to each other and the value of listening. Springfield Masonic Community resident Don Muncy was the 6,000^th person to take a Dream Flight since their inception in 2011. Since Don is 101 years old, he is a member of the Centenarian Club which means he can fly every year. Dream Flights is an annual event for all three communities where veteran residents are honored and occurs during the summer months.

Fireworks, are held at all communities as close to the 4^th of July as possible. Residents, their families as well as employees and their families are welcome to attend. Each community puts their own touch on the planning of this event, but one thing is a guarantee, there will be great food and lots of excitement. The fireworks begin approximately 9:30 PM and are a huge hit.

The Ohio Masonic Communities Foundation Golf Outing is an annual event typically held every June. Golfers come from across the state to raise money for the Pathways Memory Support Neighborhoods at The Ohio Masonic Communities. A drone drop at Springfield Masonic Community added excitement to the event in 2023. The funds from the golf outing have been used to purchase items such as robotic animals and Lucynt Tables for memory support programming. The Lucynt tables, which are lighted from above and project games onto the table, engage the residents and help them to interact and bring forth memories from the past. The word “lucynt” means the light within, everyone has their own light within.

Our sponsors include US Bank and numerous others who are instrumental in making the golf outing and ultimately the donations for the Pathway Memory Support Neighborhoods a success.

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Holidays Across The Ohio Masonic Communities

Christmas is a special time, and this year was no exception. There is caroling, gift exchanges, and making Christmas decorations. Bus rides to the local communities to see the Christmas lights is enjoyed by all each year. Door decorating contests add to the excitement and bring out a friendly competition among the residents. Most importantly are the phenomenal dinners shared with neighbors to celebrate the holiday season.

Mother and Father’s Day are special times across The Ohio Masonic Communities. The days are celebrated with special meals served in the dining rooms and often the fathers enjoy their special day with a cookout. Everyone is made to feel special on their days. Besides the great food, it’s a day for each to know they are loved and appreciated by their families and the staff.

Veteran’s Day is a day when the pace slows down and the true meaning of patriotism is displayed on each campus. Flags are displayed for all to see. Each community adds their own special flair to the Veteran’s Day Program, but you can count on hearing prayers and the national anthem. One community does a pinning ceremony while another gives a cross to every veteran. Taps is also played at some communities. These men and women have sacrificed for our freedom, and it is important to The Ohio Masonic Communities that they are shown appreciation and gratitude for their service.

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