ECS Celebrates 100 Years of Legacy at The Canterbury Retirement Community, along with 40 Years of Sophisticated Senior Living in The South Bay By Dave Hone, Executive Director
On October 12, 2023, The Canterbury in Rancho Palos Verdes celebrated 100 years of delivering on its parent company’s mission to provide exceptional communities and services to seniors in Southern California.
The celebration took attendees through exhibits showcasing three chapters of the Episcopal Communities & Services (ECS) legacy, starting with its origins, then its progress over the past century, and culminating with an exciting look toward the future. A co-celebration of the day was the coinciding 40th anniversary of The Canterbury’s presence at their Crestridge Rd. location in The South Bay.
Upon arrival, attendees were pointed toward a museum-like exhibit displaying the origins of ECS. While Bishop John H. Taylor, VII Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles richly relayed the beginnings of the organization, eight-foot panels displayed the story of Deaconess Sophie Miller, whose belief that aged people throughout the diocese, particularly the widows of clergy, should be provided for in their retirement years. By collecting donations on dime cards and enlisting the support of Bishop Horsfall Johnson, she was able to raise funds to build The Episcopal Home for the Aged in Alhambra, which welcomed its first residents in 1923. As attendees continued through the exhibit they could read and watch the story of how this Home evolved into today’s organization which owns and operates five premier senior living communities in Southern California.
On the upstairs patio, which provided a panoramic backdrop for the party, enhanced by the jazz stylings of a saxophone quartet, the displays detailed the company’s progress. Prior CEO, Martha Tamburrano, described the holistic approach ECS has taken to become a leader in premier senior living in Southern California. “Wherever we operate, we provide good jobs for the community. These are jobs that have good benefits and good pay. They are jobs one can be proud to have.” She continued, “I'm personally proud of a lot about the ECS legacy, but what I most enjoy sharing is that the company operates within a value system based on lifelong learning, care that comes to you, and providing exceptional communities and services for seniors from all faiths and backgrounds. Those values have been in place since day one. The fact that the company has continued to expand the mission and grow the organization while maintaining the same original founding values is uniquely satisfying and especially remarkable.”
CEO, James Rothrock, shared ECS’s vision. Future initiatives for The Canterbury include significant upgrades to the primary outdoor dining space and the addition of a meditation garden overlooking the Los Angeles Basin. In addition, guests learned of ECS’s Affordable Housing Plan, which supports Bishop Taylor’s goal to add 30 additional housing locations throughout LA and Orange Counties.
More than 100 people attended the afternoon event to enjoy the beautiful weather from The Canterbury’s newly renovated upstairs event terrace. Attendees included representatives from The City of Rancho Palos Verdes, The Reverend Michael S. Bell - ECS Director of Housing and Development, current and future residents, Board Members, leadership, team members, and The Canterbury’s business partners.
“It was a wonderful afternoon,” said Rothrock. “I am thrilled that we had this opportunity to enjoy such a worthy tribute to the numerous lives touched by the Mission and Values of our organization over the past 100 years.”
Special appreciation to Morrison Living who generously donated the food and beverage.
We thank all who attended the event and look forward to more milestones to celebrate in the future.
The Canterbury is the only premier Life Plan retirement community in The South Bay. Perched on a scenic bluff in the rolling hills of Rancho Palos Verdes, The Canterbury provides sophisticated senior living in an ideal setting, allowing residents to be as active or easygoing as they prefer. Find the choice you deserve, freedom you desire and flexibility you can count on. Because life is what you make it. To learn more please visit: thecanterbury.org or call (310) 954-3901.
