At the turn of the century, a disease ravaged the country. Tuberculosis, or “The White Plague,” was the second largest cause of death in the United States. It was an incredibly contagious and infectious disease that swept through the Philadelphia neighborhood of Kensington and devastated the community.
In the early 1900s, Kensington had no meaningful sanitation, housing, worker’s rights, or occupational health and safety regulations. So, when the White Plague arrived, hundreds of people were sick and dying. Reverend August Fischer, a pastor of St. Michael Lutheran Church in Kensington, knew little about the disease, how to prevent it, or how to cure it, but he knew there had to be a way to stop it. Then, he met Sister Maria Roeck. A Lutheran Deaconess born in Philadelphia to immigrant parents, she joined Rev. Fischer’s congregation and showed a desire to stop the tide of the White Plague.
Together, she and Rev. Fischer hatched a plan with a local physician to form an organization to establish and maintain a dispensary for treating poor consumptives. Thus began the Kensington Dispensary, the original expression of KenCrest.
From there, the organization quickly advanced to providing home health visits, guidelines to prevent the spread, dental health, eye care, and food or milk distribution to address childhood malnutrition. They even established a “Place in the Sun” to separate children from their families sick with Tuberculosis and give them a place to enjoy nature. Now, KenCrest continues to provide all areas of support to those it serves and is dedicated to exploring possibilities, mobilizing resources, and empowering dreams.
KenCrest's history is a testament to its resilience and adaptability. It evolved from a dispensary combating tuberculosis to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The tree in our current logo, introduced around 1985, symbolizes growth, strength, and connectedness, reflecting our ongoing commitment to planting seeds of change and nurturing the dreams of those we serve.
The Evolution of KenCrest’s Logo
In 1905, on the corner of Hancock Street and Susquehanna Avenue, KenCrest first began with just a sign on the front that read, “The Kensington Dispensary for the Treatment of Tuberculosis.”
From there, the organization continued to grow and expand. In 1911, they purchased the “Country Branch,” called River Crest, a home and dormitory for children whose families had tuberculosis. From 1947, as the community saw fewer and fewer tuberculosis patients, the organization knew that it needed to reassess its mission. Deaconess-in-Charge Sister Grace Jones began exploring a new mission to support those with intellectual or developmental disabilities. In 1960, the Kensington Dispensary and River Crest merged under a single board named “KenCrest Centers for Exceptional Persons.” Their first logo was created to highlight the organization's history and desire to support exceptional people by showcasing a woman and a man holding hands in the sun.
However, in 1975, the Federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was passed, which moved services for children and adults with disabilities away from segregated, facility-based services. So, by 1988, the logo changed into a tall, sturdy tree, which has been the heart of KenCrest ever since.
The Meaning Behind the Tree
Since 1988, KenCrest’s logo has changed and evolved numerous times, but it has always remained a tree at its core. KenCrest plants the seed for change to inspire a world in which choice and opportunity are always presented to people with IDDs and young children of working-class families. A tree resembles growth, life, and stability. It connects to nature and symbolizes growth, strength, and connectedness.
KenCrest's journey over the past 120 years is a testament to its unwavering commitment to growth, adaptability, and service. From its humble beginnings as a dispensary combating tuberculosis to its current role in supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, KenCrest has continually evolved to meet the needs of the community. The tree in our logo symbolizes this growth and resilience, representing our organization's strength and connectedness. As we look back on our history, we are inspired by our progress and are excited for the future as we continue to plant seeds of change and nurture the dreams of those we serve.
As we celebrate 120 years of service, we invite you to keep checking back to learn more about KenCrest's history and the impactful changes we've made over the years. Join us in our journey of growth and transformation, and be a part of our mission to empower dreams and mobilize resources for those we serve.
Get ready to celebrate our 120th anniversary during our Taste The Possibilities event on June 4th at Arcadia University. Stay tuned for more updates and events as we commemorate this significant milestone.