Redwood Community for Christian Scientists is dedicated to providing Christian Science nursing care in a homelike setting tailored specifically for students and adherents of Christian Science. The primary focus of the community is to offer an environment where individuals who are relying exclusively on prayer for healing can receive support and nursing care without the use of medication or medical diagnoses. This approach upholds the foundational beliefs of Christian Science, ensuring that residents are surrounded by an atmosphere conducive to spiritual healing. The facility sometimes accepts individuals who require independent or assisted living, as long as their needs are compatible with the guiding principles and the unique nursing approach upheld by this community.
Residents at Redwood Community benefit from daily rates that are inclusive of room, board, Christian Science nursing care, and essential supplies used for nursing activities. There are two distinct levels of care offered: standard Christian Science nursing care and light Christian Science nursing care, each with its respective daily rate. The facility is designed to be intimate, typically serving up to five residents at a time, which allows for personalized attention and a supportive family-like environment.
The history of Redwood Community is rooted in the vision and commitment of local Christian Science church members from Sonoma County who, beginning around 1993, sought ways to provide loving care for their older members in need. Through gradual steps, these efforts led to the incorporation of the organization and the attainment of nonprofit status. A significant contribution to the community’s growth came in 2005, when Agnes Buttle, C.S., bequeathed a duplex property to the organization, which remains its home today.
Redwood Community has experienced periods of change and renewal. Operations were temporarily paused from 2017 to 2019, after which the facility underwent major interior renovations and thoughtful re-landscaping of the front yard to be water-wise, corresponding with its reopening in 2020. Through all these transitions, the community has remained steadfast in its mission to provide a nurturing and prayer-based environment for Christian Scientists seeking care. Artwork by Brooks Anderson enhances the surroundings, contributing to the peaceful and supportive atmosphere the community is known for. As a tax-exempt nonprofit, Redwood Community is supported by donations and contributions from those who value its unique role within the Christian Science movement.
