Our History

The History of St. Vincent’s Home (Lincoln Hill, & Christian Shelticenter)

The 1800’s & The 1900’s

The original St. Vincent’s Home dates back to 1884 when a Catholic order of nuns called the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ created and ran the facility. St. Vincent’s was operated under their direct care until 1968.

The original St. Vincent's Home...Circa mid 1880's
In 1968 a new facility was built adjacent to the original home of 1884. At right, the 1884 STV in the background.
How the facility looked when Wayne Messick purchased it in 1990. Front driveway and entrance.
A patio that was on the North side
Picture of the rear of the facility
Another picture of the rear of the facility
Notice the flat roof on the facility, that was changed later
A picture taken with a view to the north
A picture taken of the front, with a view to the Southwest
A picture taken with a view to the South

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The building and grounds that we know as the St. Vincent’s Home of today was constructed in 1968 adjacent to the old St. Vincent’s Home of 1884 at 10th & Sycamore in Quincy, Illinois.

Many might ask, “Why was a new facility built in 1968?” The answer is because, in 1968 new guidelines regarding nursing home building construction were implemented. Subsequently, the original St. Vincent’s Home had to be shut down since it wouldn’t have been cost effective to remodel the building according to the new code. That original St. Vincent’s building might be known to many as The Christian Shelticenter.

Wayne acquired the OLD St. Vincent's home with the intention of demolishing it...
...to build Independent Living Units...
...known as Catherine Kasper Village.
Demolition of the original STV of 1884.
Demolition of the original STV of 1884.
Demolition of the original STV of 1884.
Demolition of the original STV of 1884.
Demolition of the original STV of 1884.
Demolition of the original STV of 1884.

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From 1968 until 1990 various owners ran what was then called Lincoln Hill Nursing Home. In 1990, the owners went bankrupt and Wayne Messick, M.P.H. purchased the home and changed the name back to St. Vincent’s Home.

Wayne dedicated his life to the healthcare industry serving as director of the Adams County Illinois Health Department from 1950 until 1969. In 1969 he purchased Carlyle Healthcare Center in Carlyle, Illinois which was also operated under the Poor Handmaids Of Jesus Christ.

Wayne owned and managed St. Vincent’s Home from 1990 and Carlyle Healthcare Center from 1969 until his death in 1999, it was his life’s passion to serve in the healthcare industry.

Great care was taken to save the statue of St. Vincent DePaul...
...from atop the 4th floor of the 1884 St. Vincent's Home when it was taken down.
Carefully removed.
Carefully removed.
Carefully removed.
Carefully removed.
Carefully removed.
That same statue now sits at the entrance of the current St. Vincent's Home.

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In the years Wayne managed St. Vincent’s Home, he completely renovated the facility, added a new wing to the nursing home, laid the groundwork for Casita Catherine Assisted Living, demolished the old and condemned St. Vincent’s Building (The Christian Shelticenter), and added Catherine Kasper Independent Living duplexes in its place.

Wayne instilled a tradition of excellence and a return to a faith based facility under his leadership. He passed that torch and vision on to his wife and daughters’ families. They continue to own and manage St. Vincent’s Home today.