St. Agnes House
Shelter from the Storm: St. Agnes House Needs a New Roof
On a cold rainy day, St. Agnes House, which offers affordable lodging for those who need to stay close to Lexington hospitals, is an oasis of warmth. Residents are provided with a simple bedroom and clean shared bathrooms. They have access to comfortable living areas equipped with couches and a television, and they can use one of two full kitchens to cook hot meals for themselves. St. Agnes House is designed to feel as much like a home away from home as possible.
But upstairs, there is a dark wet spot. The roof is leaking. And now all that holds the water at bay is a bunch of buckets on the floor. [Read more...]
St. Agnes’ House
St. Agnes’ House is a nonprofit, ecumenical mission providing economical lodging for patients and their caregivers who have traveled to Lexington, Kentucky seeking treatment for serious illnesses at area hospitals and other medical care facilities.
In extending our welcome, the people of the Diocese of Lexington encounter and serve Jesus by attending to the physical, emotional, and spiritual pain of each guest who enters this sanctuary of hospitality.
St. Agnes’ House was established in 1975 in conjunction with the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington, the Society of St. Margaret, and the University of Kentucky. Since 1978, St. Agnes’ House has been located at 635 Maxwelton Court, Lexington, KY, which is within walking distance to the UK Medical Center. Several other major hospitals are nearby.
The Society of St. Margaret, an order of Episcopal nuns, founded St. Agnes’ House and served there until retiring in 1992. Their original mission was to “provide a warm, homey atmosphere in which (cancer) patients can feel safe and cared for, as little like an institution as possible.” The House is currently staffed by lay persons and volunteers and our guests are no longer limited to those who have been diagnosed with cancer. However, our focus on providing lodging in a non-institutional and home-like atmosphere remains the same.
We’d love to hear from you if you or your caregivers are seeking a place to stay during your hospitalization or outpatient treatment in Lexington. We also welcome referrals of those in need. If you have questions about this ministry or would like to lend support with your time, talent or treasure, please contact us.
About St. Agnes’ House
St Agnes House consists of two buildings joined by a patio — the original house, which is more than 75 years old, and a dormitory-style building built by the Diocese in 1979. We can accommodate a total of nineteen guests in eleven rooms, five of which are single-occupancy. All other rooms accommodate two or three persons.
Each building has a complete kitchen (including appliances and cooking and eating utensils) and a lounge (with television and other resources, such as a computer and books). Laundry facilities are available at no charge to guests. Parking is available at no charge on site.
Features of St. Agnes’ House
:
Convenient Location – St. Agnes’ House is located within walking distance from the UK Medical Center.
Low-cost Housing – Our cost is $7.00 per night per person. But no one is turned away for inability to pay.
Shared Spaces – Our kitchens, lounges, patio, and front porch are popular gathering places. This home-like atmosphere encourages shared meals, conversation, and the opportunity to form a mutually-supportive community with others in similar circumstances
Private Bedrooms – Each guest occupies a single room. When caregivers accompany our guests, they may share a room. Bathrooms are dormitory-style and are located on each floor.
Meals – Guests are responsible for providing their own meals. Our kitchen facilities allow guests to store and prepare their own food.
St. Margaret’s Chapel – Our chapel is always open for prayer and meditation. Morning Prayer is offered every morning, Monday-Friday at 7:30am. All are welcome. We welcome guests regardless of religious belief or affiliation. Participation in any of our faith-related offerings is strictly voluntary.
Staff and Board of Directors
Staff
St. Agnes’ House has one paid, full-time staff member, Susan McDonald, who serves as Director. Susan is available to assist guests during the day Monday –Friday. Reynold Alcius serves as the House’s Resident Manager. Reynold is available to assist guests in the evenings and on week-ends.
Board of Directors
Our Board of Managers provides vision and oversight for the House. They are elected to three-year terms and include a wide cross-section of professionals, community leaders, and others committed to this ministry. Our Board members support the work of St. Agnes’ House by giving generously of their time, talent, and treasure.
Current Board members include:
Lori Mellon, President
Carla VanMeter, Vice-President
Tom Penn, Treasurer
Dr. Dorothy Ann Brockopp
Katherine V. Dalton
Justin L. Handshoe
The Rev. Lauren Hendrick
Ce Ce Johnson
Bruce Magyar
The Rt. Rev. Stacy F. Sauls
Volunteers
St. Agnes’ House simply could not operate effectively without our volunteers. Much of the on-going work of the House—hospitality, transportation to medical appointments, office support, minor repairs, and yard work—is done by these dedicated folks. Our volunteers include not only members of local Episcopal parishes but also representatives from the community at large. To learn more about volunteer opportunities at St. Agnes’ House contact our Director, Susan McDonald.
Lodging and Directions
Lodging
Our house is open to anyone who needs to stay in Lexington during treatment for chronic or life-threatening disease. We ask $7 per day from each guest, although exceptions will be made in case of hardship. Contact Susan McDonald at (859) 254-1241 or simcdonald@diolex.org for reservations or more information.
We have 12 rooms where one or two guests can sleep on Tempur-Pedic mattresses and share bathroom facilities with one or two other guest rooms. Laundry facilities and kitchens are also available for guest use.
Directions
St. Agnes’ House is located at 635 Maxwelton Court, Lexington, KY 40508. The House is just off South Limestone Street next door to the Lexington Theological Seminary. It is across the street from the UK College of Law.
Traveling from UK Medical Center Parking Garage
Turn left onto S Limestone Street (going toward town)
Continue through the intersection of S Limestone and Virginia Avenue/Huguelet Avenue
Turn left onto Maxwelton Court (at the first stoplight after the Virginia Avenue/Huguelet Avenue intersection)
Traveling North on I-75
Take Exit 104 (Athens/KY-418)
Turn left on KY-418 (Athens Boonesboro Road)
Continue on Athens Boonesboro Road, which becomes US-25N (US 421 N, Richmond Road) – 7.2 miles
Continue onto BUS US-25 (BUS US-421, E Main Street) — 1.2 miles
Turn left onto S Upper Street — .7 miles
Continue onto US-27 (S Limestone Street) — .2 miles
Turn right onto Maxwelton Court
Traveling South on I-75
Take Exit 115 (KY-922, Bluegrass Airport)
Bear right on KY-922 S (Newtown Pike) – 3.3 miles
Turn right onto BUS US-25 (BUS US-421, W Main Street – .7 miles
Turn right onto S Upper Street — .7 miles
Continue onto US-27 (S Limestone Street) — .2 miles
Turn right onto Maxwelton Court
Parking is located behind St. Agnes’ House on Callahan Alley.
Living Board Game Comes to Life
The first annual St. Agnes House’s Living Board Game came to life on Saturday, April 16. Despite rain and cold, about 20 youth and lots of volunteers came together in Lexington for an afternoon of challenges and fun.
The youth moved station to station throughout downtown getting challenges based on their "handicaps." Along the way, trollers challenged them to trivia questions, which if answered wrong meant another challenge to be able to move to the next station.
At each station, the youth faced challenges as teams, as pairs and as individuals. The deacons of the diocese were present as judges.
After, completing the 2 mile challenge course, everyone ended up at St. Agnes House where a delicious spread of treats was waiting. We learned a lesson on hospitality and helping our neighbor. The Bishop and our Canon to the Ordinary joined us at St. Agnes House for discussion and celebration.
Awards were given to the following: Hospitality Award-Olivia Brewer who collected $250 for St. Agnes House; Spirit Award-Church of the Good Shepherd; Winged Award-Grace Campbell, Abby Clayton, Lee Ledbetter, and Amanda Stark; and Faithful Followers Award-Church of the Good Shepherd. Over $800 was collected for use to help pay for residents stays.
It was so much fun, we will do the second annual St. Agnes House Living Board Game on Saturday, November 19. It will stay in November for the following years.
A very special thank you to St. Michaels, the Cathedral, and Good Shepherd for sponsoring stations. Thank you to Holy Trinity, Georgetown and Good Shepherd for supplying all the goodies at the end. Thank you to our deacons: Deacon Tom, Deacon Lois, Deacon Mary, Deacon Lauren, and Deacon Jeff for being fair yet sympathetic judges.
See you in November!
