ABOUT LUTHERAN HAVEN

RETIREMENT : ASSISTED LIVING  : NURSING HOME

OUR MISSION

Lutheran Haven is a ministry of the SELC District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod which proclaims and demonstrates the love of God in Jesus Christ to older adults by providing residential environments where members of the community may live with hope and confidence.

A HISTORY OF LOVING CARE

The history of the Haven is tied to the early settlers of Slavia Township, now part of Oviedo, Florida. Already in the 1920's Lutheran immigrants from Czechoslovakia, living in Cleveland, Ohio, wanted to build an "orphanage" for children and a "retirement home" for pastors who had limited income. Several families moved to Slavia, " to live in the country away from the temptations of the city." They cleared the land and started farming. After they became established, the thought of a haven for retired pastors and orphaned children surfaced again.

Faith, hope and love shine through in everything we do.

In 1937, one of the settlers, Mr. Andrew Duda Sr., in gratitude to the Lord for His many blessings, offered the Slovak Evangelical Lutheran Church (now the SELC District of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod) forty acres of land and $90,000 for the first two buildings - a home for the elderly and a home for needy, dependent children. The offer was graciously accepted by the Synod. In 1946 at the Synod Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, Articles of Incorporation were approved and a board of trustees was elected. The doors were opened to children and the elderly on May 30, 1948.

Over the years Lutheran Haven has grown, responding to the challenges in the ever changing retirement and healthcare sectors of our society. Today, Lutheran Haven offers a continuum of services for retirees including independent living, assisted living and nursing home care.

Future expansion is in the forefront of the Haven Board of Trustees' planning. The demographic projections for the next 10 to 15 years represents new challenges to continue delivering quality services to an ever expanding older adult population. By God's grace and under His direction, the Board and staff of Lutheran Haven will continue to maintain and enhance the Christian atmosphere and environment which makes the Lutheran Haven special and unique among communities of its kind.

OUR NURTURING AND QUALIFIED STAFF

The Lutheran Haven story includes a story of people who wanted and worked for one simple thing: to provide care in the best way possible for those who need it most, in the Name of Christ. As you step into our nursing home and assisted living facility, you see a stained glass image of Jesus standing with outstretched hands, framed in brilliant colors reflecting His glory. So much more than a series of stained glass windows, the artwork send a message of hope and encouragement to all who enter. They symbolize the mission that sets the Haven apart from the other long-term care providers: that faith, hope and love shine through in everything we do.