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Brevillier Village History

In 1960, Mrs. Katherine Conrad Brevillier of Erie, Pennsylvania willed a 17 acre estate, located at 5436 East Lake Road, to the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul for religious, educational, and charitable purposes.  The first floor of the residence serves as a grocery store and meeting area for Village residents and staff.  The second floor houses administrative offices for Brevillier Village Foundation.  The foundation was established in 1986 to manage Brevillier Village activities.

Dean Frederic Richardson Murray, of the Cathedral of St. Paul, and a church committee planned the complex now known as Brevillier Village.  It was to be developed for the elderly person in three phases: a low-income, apartment-living residence; a long term nursing care facility; and a housing complex to provide personal care services.

The first phase, Conrad House, built with federal funds, opened in 1972.  This eight-story, 133-unit structure, built at the center of the Brevillier estate, was designed to give all residents a view of Lake Erie.  The main floor features meeting rooms and activity areas with the main lobby connected to the Brevillier house.  Katherine Brevillier's maiden name was Conrad, thus the name Conrad House.

The second phase, Ball Pavilion, opened as a licensed facility in November of 1977 and became home to 85 residents.  This one-floor building stands on the former location of the well-known Pussy Willow Tea Room.  It received its name from Miss Oceana Ball, whose estate was bequeathed to the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul in 1933.  This will specified that her residence at 61 East 6th Street, Erie, Pennsylvania be maintained for aged, respectable, maiden ladies, gentle women of the Protestant Episcopal Faith.  In 1977, with only two ladies remaining in the home, the court decreed the Cathedral form a non-profit corporation known as the Ball Pavilion.  This facility was rebuilt and reopened in August 1998 on the east side of the property.  Still named Ball Pavilion, the new facility is spacious and built to accommodate rehabilitation as well as long term care placement.

The third phase of the complex, Barnabas Court, opened in 1986 and memorialized the mission and spirit of St. Barnabas House By-The-Lake.  The 58-unit, semi-independent apartment complex strives to help residents maintain maximum independence by offering personal care services in a safe, secure environment.  In 1998, the original Ball Pavilion was converted into 50 more personal care units.  So the original Barnabas Court is called Barnabas Court South and the original building called Ball Pavilion is now called Barnabas Court North.  South is structured more for social model personal care and North is more medical personal care.

"Tree of Life"

ROOTS

Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul

TRUNK

Katherine Conrad Brevillier for whom the Village is named

 Members of the Cathedral of St. Paul

BRANCHES / LEAVES

Brothers of St. Barnabas by the Lake, North East, Pennsylvania

Episcopal Priests from Gibsonia, Pennsylvania

Oceana Ball and the Ball Home, Erie, Pennsylvania

Episcopal Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania

Our residents and staff have benefited from the generosity, love, and dedication of the above individuals and organizations.  Our history is filled with caring and devotion to quality of life.

Campaign to fulfill the worship and educational needs of our community.

The construction of a formal chapel on campus embraces the true goal of serving an active community of prayer and worship, and becomes the physical presence for the religious base in Brevillier Village.  The chapel will also provide an education center for continued opportunities and partnerships with local entities that enrich the lives of the residents and our community.

In 2005, the Board of Directors authorized construction of the St. Barnabas Chapel and Education Room.  A Groundbreaking Ceremony was held on May 17, 2007. 

On Sunday September 28th, Bishop Rowe of the Episcopal Diocese of Erie along with Rev. John Downey held a consecration and dedication ceremony for the new St. Barnabas Chapel. Church services will begin being held there in October. We have already celebrated our first wedding in the Chapel in August and honored one of the Ball Pavilion residents whose family requested her memorial service be held in the Chapel. We have been blessed with this beautiful space which is open daily for church services, reflection time, weddings, funerals, etc. The Cathedral of Saint Paul who is the Village sponsor will oversee the different events held in the Chapel.

The Education Center has already been used for various meetings within the Village. At this time we are setting in motion plans that will delineate what that space can be used for and by whom. As soon as all he details are worked out we will notify residents and staff of the availability and uses. One certain item at this time is that no alcohol will be allowed in that space for outside functions.

It has been a fulfilled vision of Katherine Brevillier and the founding Board of the Village that a Chapel be erected for residents, families, staff and visitors. We encourage you to use the Chapel. Please encourage your minister/priest/rabbi to come and share a service.