Excerpt from the newsletter:

The Diocese of Eau Claire

Vol. 20 No. 6

June, 1948

The Buffington Home

The Buffington Home at 1500 State Street in Eau Claire is ready for occupancy. After many months spent in overcoming numerous details and much hard work, the building is finally in tip top order. There still remains considerable detail work in the organizing of the Board of Directors and the outlining of policies to be followed. 

The clergy who met at the Home on April 15th for a period of inspection and the tea at which an open house was held for members of the Diocesan was held for members of the Diocesan Council for Church Women on May11th brought forth words of approval on the atmosphere of the Home. 

The securing of a superintendent for the Home is the major problem confronting us at this time. Due to the particular nature of the Home those who have been serving as Directors feel that the position of superintendent must be held by one who is either a registered nurse or a qualified practical nurse, about 45 or 50 years of age. The job, for "job" it is, is one that calls for the general management of a household with an extremely limited staff to assist in the shores. This is made necessary because of the limited capacity of the home as well as limited finances. She will also have to be a person of tact with the ability to maintain harmony among the members! The preference is of course for a devoted Church woman. We would like someone within the Diocese but if such cannot be found than we shall have to go elsewhere. 

Now as for the membership. Our accomodations are such that the rooms which are spacious and comfortable will have to be shared. We are making this venture of faith in a small way and look forward to the time when a new building will replace the present structure and each member will have a private room. Again it is a matter of finanies as only by doubling up can we provide economically and within our means the shelter that is so sorely needed by those without shelter. 

We do not at this time expect to make "life contracts" but simply to operate on a monthly rate basis with length of tenure determined by such rules and regulations adopted by the Board. The admission fee will be nominal and the monthly rate will in all probability be fifty dollars. 

Qualifications for admission will be seventy years of age and of such physical condition as required by the Director and a physical examination by the Home Physician. The applicant must be an active communicant of the Church in good standing in the Diocese for at least the past five years. 

It must be kept in mind however that our ultimate objective is to have a Church Home for elderly people. The Diocese of Eau Claire has inherited a trust and should we be unable to fill the home with members of the Episcopal Church first, even at the time, then the doors will be open to the faithful of other Christian denominations.