Jerusalem Judson Meadows celebrates 26 years

By Barbara Lynch New Jerusalem Baptist Church In early 1994, the pastor of the New Jerusalem Baptist Church, Reverend Damon Lynch Jr., brought to the attention of the board of trustees and deacons of the church, at 26 West North Bend Road, the need for more affordable senior housing. The process was begun with the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the partnership of Judson Care Center, an American Baptist facility. With the assistance of James Piepenbrink, a lead developer, the process began with the purchase of property from Cincinnati Milling Machine in 1996 in the community of Oakley. A naming contest was held among the members of New Jerusalem  and the building was aptly named Jerusalem Judson Meadows by the first and longest tenured building manager, La Fawn Billings Thomas. In 1997 an advertisement was placed in the local news venues for residents for the building. The first residents moved in in 1998. The facility, which occupies a prominent position at 4855 Ridge Avenue, has been at full occupancy since its opening 26 years ago. New Jerusalem thanks the late LaFawn Thomas, Jim Piepenbrink and the Reverend Damon Lynch Jr. for having the dream and making the dream...