Tradition and Roots

Cross Keys Village – The Brethren Home Community traces its roots to 1908, when church leaders and congregations of the Southern Pennsylvania District of the Church of the Brethren bought a farmhouse near Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and founded the Brethren Home for the Aged at Huntsdale. The home was a place where aging widows could receive a compassionate helping hand. That small facility, which eventually came to house both women and men, was soon expanded. It operated successfully for more than 40 years until the house was destroyed by fire in 1951. Fortunately, all residents and staff escaped the blaze. Responding to this adversity, the Brethren Home’s trustees and other supporters decided to purchase the shuttered Cross Keys Hotel near New Oxford and relocate to this larger building. The new facility opened on October 20, 1952, and soon was serving twice as many residents as had been at Huntsdale.

Growth and Innovation

Since then, we have been expanding continuously and the Brethren Home evolved into a modern Continuing Care Retirement Community. As the community grew, it attracted residents of all faiths. Since our move to New Oxford, our campus has grown from 19 to 334 acres. Much of this acreage is devoted to residential housing for more than 800 villagers who live in cottages, Bridgewater homes, and apartments of various sizes. In 2006 we changed our name to Cross Keys Village – The Brethren Home Community. 2017 saw the opening of Brookside, a brand-new memory care residence specialized in caring for individuals with cognitive impairment, and 2020 saw us welcoming new villagers in our Hearthside residences. While the future indicates expansion in size, services and reach, with each new step we take we strive to remain true to our roots and to our mission.

A Regional Leader

Cross Keys Village is one of the largest stand-alone non-profit communities in the country, and the largest in Pennsylvania. We have become a premier provider of Memory Care services and education, and we were at the vanguard of the York/Adams Dementia Friendly America project. Our financial stability is reflected year after year in healthy balance sheets and favorable bond ratings. Our people are perhaps what makes us different most of all: We don’t always dress for dinner… but we volunteer to assist and serve each other in larger number than in any other community. This small but significant difference tells you a lot about us.

Our Core Values

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Show Compassion – Understand others, give of yourself

Act Responsibly – Own today, plan for tomorrow

Work Together – Achieve more as a team

Celebrate Life – Find joy in every day

Be Innovative – Seek and embrace opportunities

Our Mission

A Brethren ministry dedicated to enriching the lives of older adults

Our Vision

To be a leading innovator offering older adults a life infused with quality and purpose

Non-Discrimination Policy

Admission to Cross Keys Village – The Brethren Home Community is open to people regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, handicap, or disability. All faiths are welcome.

Our Address

2990 Carlisle Pike
New Oxford, Pennsylvania 17350

About Us & Our Mission