Nestled in a lush, park-like setting in Girard, 30 miles south of Springfield, sits Courtyard Estates, a senior living facility that offers both independent and assisted living and boasts a story that spans 120 years.
The origin of Courtyard Estates goes back to 1900, when the Church of the Brethren of Southern Illinois appointed a committee to establish an “old folks and orphans home” focused on Christian-based care. With funding from Pleasant Hill Church, the committee purchased 20 acres of land. Additional funds were raised to cover the cost of constructing the brick and stone structure, which opened in late 1905. In the early 1920s, the care of orphans was turned over to the state. “The Home” (as it was called) was designated to care only for the elderly.
The Home held up through the mid-1970s when a new, modern facility was deemed necessary. The facility was named Pleasant Hill Village to acknowledge the Brethren heritage. About 25 years later, the board and administration again looked at future needs for space and services, leading to building the current complex, which opened in two phases, in 2002 and 2004.
In 2020 when the Church of the Brethren sold the facility to Peterson Health Care, one of the country’s largest nursing home operators. The name was changed to Courtyard Estates. Due to various challenges, Peterson Health Care declared bankruptcy in early 2024, and Courtyard Estates went into foreclosure. The bank handling the foreclosure hired a management company to oversee operations until a new owner could be secured.
A new beginning
Earlier this year, Bill Barton and his wife, Stephanie, of Sherman, purchased Courtyard Estates. The sale was finalized July 31. The couple is committed to keeping the Church of the Brethren’s original mission and culture alive.
“When I first heard about the property, I thought I would pass because nursing homes are not in my wheelhouse,” says Bill. “But when I saw it for the first time, I was struck by how it is a really nice facility that’s been well cared for in a beautiful country setting.”
While he’s never owned a senior living facility, Bill has extensive experience in property management and nonprofit organizations. Originally from Lincoln, Bill spent nearly 15 years after college working for two different faith-based organizations that focused on creating a sense of community for apartment complex residents across the country.
“We had a lot of touchpoints around the resident retention life cycle,” explains Bill. “When new residents moved in, we’d knock on their doors to welcome them and get to know them. We created community partnerships and organized special events for residents. With those touchpoints, we built strong resident relationships.”
In 2012, Bill moved to Springfield when he and Stephanie married. A few years ago, he started his own property investment company. He and Stephanie now jointly own about a dozen multifamily properties in the Springfield area. Bill takes the lead with managing the properties, while Stephanie, an attorney, lends her legal expertise, as needed.
While evaluating Courtyard Estates, Bill first took a hard look at the finances. Then, he asked himself, “What else is right about this place? What gives me hope for this place? What makes me believe it has a future?” He found that the building, overall, was in good condition. It’s in a peaceful, lovely setting. And experienced staff members were already in place.
“We’ve retained the same staff from the executive director to the nursing, kitchen and housekeeping employees,” he notes. “They are all good people with good attitudes. They care about the residents. I could see that right away.”
Looking to the future
Bill and Stephanie see a bright future for Courtyard Estates. “I’m excited,” says Bill. “Culture and community engagement come naturally to me. When I look at pictures from the last 20 years, I see that a lot of great things have happened in this building, and I want to ensure those continue to happen. Right now, I am getting to know the residents and working closely with our activity director who plans outings, holiday celebrations and parties. She also works with our wonderful volunteers and several churches that offer group Bible studies and serve communion.”
Bill is also focused on increasing occupancy. Most residents come from the immediate area and other central Illinois communities between Springfield and Carlinville. The current occupancy is about 75 percent, but it is trending positively. The goal is to reach 90 percent.
Bill is working closely with executive director Allison Montgomery and marketing director Michelle Hoover to expand their outreach. They are contacting people and organizations in the area to let them know about the new ownership and commitment to providing a welcoming atmosphere and comprehensive services.
Bill adds, “We plan to implement a very strategic process with staff to make sure everyone is moving in the same direction and our energies are focused. It’s also important that the heart and vision of the organization and staff stay connected to the history and mission. If we combine that with some more efficiencies, Courtyard Estates will reach a place it hasn’t been before.”
This article appears in October SBJ 2025.