The idea for a not-for-profit, community-based nursing home in Whitewater originated in November 1971 when Wheat State Manor was incorporated. The Board of Directors was elected from nominations submitted from each of the nine sponsoring churches. Each participating church purchased one share of stock for $500. The owner churches are:
The Christian Church, Potwin, Kansas
The First United Methodist Church, Furley, Kansas
The Palmyra Baptist Church, Benton, Kansas
The Federated Church, Whitewater, Kansas
The Emmaus Mennonite Church, Whitewater, Kansas
The Swiss Church, Whitewater, Kansas
The Grace Hill Mennonite Church, Whitewater, Kansas
The Zion Mennonite Church, Elbing, Kansas
The First United Methodist Church, Potwin, Kansas
In January 1973, the City of Whitewater approved a $5,000,000 Industrial Revenue Bond issue to construct a 66-bed nursing facility on 12.5 acres donated by Mr. The original furnishings, valued at $100,000, were funded entirely out of donations from the sponsoring churches and community. was completed and dedicated on April 7, 1974. The Wheat State Manor, Inc. Auxiliary was formed in May 1972 to plan activities and coordinate volunteer efforts on behalf of the Wheat State Manor residents. In 1990, the Wheat State Manor, Inc. Board of Directors and the owner churches decided to expand and modify Wheat State Manor. The City of Whitewater approved a $675,000 Industrial Revenue Bond issue in August 1990 and the expansion was completed in June of 1991. Today, Wheat State Manor, Inc. is a 65 bed skilled nursing facility offering quality nursing care, physical, occupational, and speech therapies, in-house preventive oral health check-ups, as well as dietary, housekeeping and laundry services, recreational and other related programs for individuals who choose Wheat State Manor, Inc.
