Our History
Abbotsford is well known for its active church communities. In the first half of the twentieth century, this led to the establishment of faith-based care homes. As time went on, there was a desire to make sure seniors who were not affiliated with the church organizations would be supported when they needed care. This resulted in a group of Abbotsford pioneers and community folk working to establish a care home. MSA Manor opened in 1973 as a ‘personal care home’ for seniors in the Matsqui, Sumas and Abbotsford area.
Recently, one community leader named John Wittenberg told us that he joined The MSA Manor Society board after retirement. Seeking a job to do, he gathered a group that cleared the grounds around the care home, finding rhododendron that had been planted by Brian Minter, securing soil and gravel from the Mayors of Abbotsford and Matsqui respectively, and acquiring concrete from local businesses.
The old MSA Hospital
MSA Manor garden
As time went on, there was interest in expanding services. Upon finding out about an abandoned parcel of land, formally an experimental farm station, eight acres along Jackson Street was purchased. Initially hands-on, The Maplewood House Society Board took responsibility for the Maplewood House grounds, building, care, supervision and finance. A large vegetable garden banked the street.
Today MSA Manor and Maplewood House receive funding from Fraser Health to provide care and services for our residents.