In the early part of this century, Dr. Albert Oetinger, a Philadelphia physician and pharmacist, spent much of his life ministering to the medical and spiritual needs of the children and adults who lived in the slum districts of Philadelphia. He determined to open a home for the destitute children overlooked by other agencies. In October of 1903, with the combined help of his wife and a family friend, Katherine Krausslach, Dr. Oetinger rented a property on North Fifth Street in Philadelphia that became the first Christ's Home for Children.

Subsequent years saw many additions to Christ's Home for Children. Beginning with the additional rental of the adjoining row home, then various properties in outlying districts. The Home eventually consolidated its various residential cottages on the "country" property in Warminster.

In 1936 a branch of Christ's Home for Children opened in Paradise, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Originally serving the children who were of preschool age, the Paradise campus now services a residential population from ages two through twelve.

In 1998, Christ's Home adopted the Teaching Family Model form of child care for use in it's residential program for children between three and eleven years of age. The TFM is a product of the Teaching Family Association that leads to national certification of the Teaching Parents after 18 months of pre-service training and on the job evaluation.

In addition to the Children's program, Christ's Home also offers a Retirement Community located in Warminster PA. This portion of the Christ's Home ministry has been in operation since 1923. We invite you to visit the web site dedicated to the Retirement Community history and service.