Mission and History

Building on Our Heritage, Innovating for the Future

OUR MISSION IS SIMPLE

NLCS HONORS, INSPIRES AND SUPPORTS CHOICE AND
OPPORTUNITY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OLDER ADULTS.

A HERITAGE OF LONG-TERM CARE IN ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND

With this mission of service in mind, National Lutheran Communities & Services (NLCS) is here to help older adults get more out of life: more friendships and new pursuits, more comfort and spiritual fulfillment, and more security and freedom to live the life you love. With its heritage as the original community in the National Lutheran family, The Village at Rockville continues to progress, leading the next generation of retirement communities from a foundation of experience.

The Not-for-Profit Difference

NLCS is a not-for-profit, faith-based ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s (ELCA) Delaware-Maryland, Metropolitan Washington, D.C. and Virginia synods, serving people of all beliefs. NLCS provides older adults with a variety of lifestyle, residential, and health care options through retirement communities and services in Maryland and Virginia.

As a not-for-profit with more than 130 years of serving older adults, NLCS offsets the cost of care for residents who can no longer afford it by providing more than $3 million in benevolent care yearly. Revenues are also invested back into its communities (residents and staff included), for enhanced services, amenities and capital improvements.

Our History

The Village at Rockville serves as National Lutheran Communities & Services’ flagship community. Originally known as the National Lutheran Home, the community was founded after a donation of 27 acres of land at 18th and Douglas Streets in Washington D.C. by Sarah Utermehle of Reformation Lutheran Church. Upon opening, the community stood with four cottages used as group homes for older adults. In 1917, a new health care center opened with 60 rooms and a Chapel to seat 150 people. This building was eventually expanded and still serves older adults to this day.

In 1980, the community made its move to Rockville to accommodate up to 300 older adults. By the late 1980’s, independent living cottages were added to the campus. In 2010, we celebrated 120 years and officially took the name The Village at Rockville–A National Lutheran Community.

The Village at Rockville has continued to evolve to meet the changing needs of older adults. To date, the health center has been renovated and modernized, cottages have been updated and more were added to Westcott II and most recently, we celebrated the opening of Glenmere to add more independent living options to our thriving community.