Rev. Glenn founded NCR (originally called Ohio Church Residences) in 1961 with four other churches: Boulevard Presbyterian, Chillicothe Presbyterian, Waverly Presbyterian, and Portsmouth Presbyterian Churches. John had a vision, compassion, and an ambition for National Church Residences that saw our organization grow from a very humble beginning to an industry leader that serves, literally, thousands and thousands of seniors and families across this country and in Puerto Rico. It takes faith and vision to be a pioneer. John certainly had both, and we are all the better for it.
Bristol Village was started with a bid from John in a public auction held in Washington, DC. Glenn saw those houses as they could be – renovated, affordable, beautiful homes for seniors who needed them. The venture was an amazing success with seniors coming from across the country. Today, Bristol Village is a nationally recognized, 133-acre continuing care retirement community that provides individual home and apartment living, assisted living, skilled nursing, therapeutic care, health and wellness programs, and Alzheimer’s care. It was John’s faith and vision that initiated National Church Residences’ ascent to a leading role in affordable housing in this country. It was his ambition for NCR that spurred growth for the organization and the service we provide, and it was his compassion, leadership, and example that made NCR what it is today. NCR is now the nation’s largest not-for-profit developer and manager of affordable senior housing. In addition, NCR provides supportive housing for the formerly homeless, home health care, assisted living and skilled nursing communities, and supportive housing for the homeless. The organization comprises more than 300 senior-and family-based communities (23,000 units) in 28 states and Puerto Rico. What started with one extraordinary man’s dream of serving seniors is now a national outreach at virtually every level for those who captured the Rev. Glenn’s heart from the beginning.
Originally from Pennsylvania, Glenn intended to pursue an agricultural career, receiving a degree from the College of Wooster. Instead of farming, however, John went on to receive a divinity degree. “Instead of saving the soil,” he later told a local newspaper reporter, “I began saving souls.” His dream, he would often tell others, was to provide housing for the elderly – especially those with modest incomes. That dream became NCR’s mission: a Christian commitment to serve older adults’ housing, social, and human needs. John had a huge vision for our organization, and he constantly pushed us to expand NCR’s mission to seniors, as well as to pursue every opportunity that could be of benefit to them. His generosity and compassion were boundless, and in myriad ways, that ambition and passion still motivate us as an organization to this day.
Although John retired 20 years ago, he leaves an indelible imprint on NCR. He truly loved this organization and every single person it touches. Today we mourn the loss of a founder, a minister, and a dear friend. We are all blessed to have been a part of his mission, and equally as important, to have the honor of being part of his legacy.
Tom Slemmer
President & CEO
