In the early 1970’s, the thought of a retirement community began to form. The Reverend Phillip Queen of Second Presbyterian Church and Dr. Harold Martin formed a committee to investigate the possibility. Concurrently, a not-for-profit chain of communities, Presbyterian Housing Program (PHP) began investigating possibilities in Central Illinois.
1976: A feasibility study was conducted, and Second Presbyterian Church provided office space and agreed to act as consultants.
1977: Forty plus acres of farmland was purchased on the east edge of Bloomington and the groundbreaking for construction efforts began on November 8, 1977.
1979: Westminster Village officially opened on November 1, 1979.
1980: Martin Health Center opened in November, 1980.
1981: Westminster Village ended its partnership with Presbyterian Housing Program and Westminster Village was established as a not-for-profit organization.
1988: The Village expanded its single method of entry to include rental and equity return options.
1989: The area originally known as Independent Living II was formed.
1995: The Village started construction on the Willows Duplexes.
2006: Independent Living II transitioned to Licensed Assisted Living.
First Board President: Mr. Elmo Gentes
First Residents to Place a Deposit: Dr. and Mrs. Woodrow Sorenson
First Residents to Move In: Mr. and Mrs. Bertie Bunn
First Executive Director: Rev. John Andrae
Previous Land Owner: Mrs. Herbert Garling