About - Redefining Aging with Vitality

About Us

A life plan community that’s
anything but retired.

Reimagine what it means to age.

Vibrant, vital, and dynamic, the Bishop Gadsden Community includes more than 500 residents and patients at every age and stage of retirement alongside hundreds of compassionate team members. We share a common goal: to lead an extraordinary and fulfilling life.

Founded in 1850, Bishop Gadsden remains true to its roots as an independent, faith-based community affiliated with the Episcopal Church. In line with our original principles as a mission-driven nonprofit, all are welcome here—regardless of religious affiliation. Beholden only to our community, Bishop Gadsden’s leadership acts in service of all who live and work in this beautiful place.

In this warm and welcoming environment, neighbors become friends for a lifetime while team members grow into extended family. Our campus buzzes with energy from day through night, as friendly faces, delightful activities, dining options, and social engagements abound.

A mission lived
every day.

The Bishop Gadsden Community embraces God’s call to ministry. We affirm positive living for residents and employee team members. We serve with integrity. We exercise wise stewardship, and reach out with a generous spirit. These words guide our actions and decisions.

All are invited to find their own interpretation of this mantra–and to join in celebrating our mission to provide exceptional care while respecting every member of our diverse community.

Our goodwill reaches beyond the confines of campus. Since 1995, Bishop Gadsden’s residents and team members have volunteered countless hours and contributed millions of dollars to charitable causes, spanning over 100 wonderful organizations in and outside our hometown of James Island.

A ministry since 1850.

When Bishop Christopher Gadsden established the Episcopal Church Home in 1850, he would have scarcely imagined its amazing evolution over the next century and a half. Bishop Gadsden has grown into a vibrant community that is recognized as a leader in senior living, and beloved by families for generations. Learn more about where we’ve been and where we’re going.

St. Stephen's Chapel

Bishop Christopher Gadsden establishes the Episcopal Church Home at a service at St. Stephen's on Anson Street, in Charleston, S.C.

1850

Bee Street Home

The Episcopal Church Home moves to Bee Street in Charleston, S.C.

1928

St. James

St. James Episcopal Church on James Island, S.C., donates 12 acres to the Episcopal Church Home. The "Bee Street Home" closes and the development of the new retirement community begins.

1983

At the groundbreaking on James Island, the Episcopal Church Home's new community is named Bishop Gadsden in honor of its founder Bishop Christopher Gadsden.

1985

The Bishop Gadsden Assisted Living Community, Myers Hall, opens.

1987

Read Cloister

The groundbreaking on the skilled nursing center begins in 1991. The new center, Read Cloister, opens on November 15, 1992.

1992

St. James Episcopal Church donates an additional 38 acres and Bishop Gadsden purchases an additional four acres adjacent to the current property.

1997

On September 12, Bishop Gadsden breaks ground on the new Commons and Apartment/Cottage Community. This will feature 45,000 square feet of common areas.

1997

Bishop Gadsden opens the Commons and Apartment & Cottage Living Community and the memory care center, Arcadia Close.

1999

After receiving the Design for Aging Award for outstanding community, Bishop Gadsden expands its health and wellness services including the Fitness Center, Pharmacy and Clinic.

2001

Bishop Gadsden completes construction of its Chapel, which is consecrated on April 15th.

2006

The Chapel wins the Design for Aging Special Recognition Award from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the American Association for Homes & Services for the Aging (AAHSA).

2007

Bishop Gadsden undertakes major renovations as well as expanding its amenities; establishing itself as an innovator in dining services.

2009

Bishop Gadsden celebrates 25 Years on James Island and 163 Years of Ministry.

2013

Bishop Gadsden begins construction on the Quay, three stunning buildings; featuring flats with open floor plans, which will add 45 residential flats to the community.

2014

Bishop Gadsden opens The Quay, and work begins on amenity expansion and renovation.

2015

The Market Place Café and Wellness/Fitness Center reopens after extensive renovations.

2016

Bishop Gadsden begins construction on The Glebe, an addition to the Apartment and Cottage Community providing eight new cottages. Bishop Gadsden announces retirement of modern founding leader Bill Trawick. Sarah Tipton named President and CEO of Bishop Gadsden.

2018

Bishop Gadsden begins construction on Gadsden Glen and an expansion of Myers Hall Assisted Living.

2020

The expansion of Myers Hall is completed and Gadsden Glen officially opens its doors.

2022

Construction begins on a new residential option, the Meade.

2023

Leadership

Sarah E.H. Tipton, President & CEO
[email protected]

When she joined Bishop Gadsden in 1995 Sarah Tipton knew she had found a mission and community where her desire to serve people in a faith-based setting could flourish. Now as President/CEO, Sarah and her dedicated team shape an expansive future of this powerful mission, developing and enhancing options for independent living, growing services in the home, and creating state-of-the-art health and wellness services to serve residents and the greater Charleston community.

Sarah received her B.S. from Vanderbilt University and Masters of Health Administration from the Medical University of South Carolina. She is a licensed long-term and residential care administrator. Sarah has served on the board and as board chair of S. C. LeadingAge, the state not-for-profit senior living professional association. She is a Fellow in the national LeadingAge Leadership Academy and currently serves as a coach in the SC Leadership Academy. Locally, Sarah serves on the board of Bon Secours-St. Francis Hospital, on the curriculum advisory Board for MUSC Department of Healthcare Leadership and Management, and is active in Grace Church Cathedral and the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina.

Lynne Kerrison, CPA Executive Vice President/CFO
[email protected]

Lynne Kerrison, CPA, CMPE, is Executive Vice President/CFO and oversees all aspects of Bishop Gadsden Episcopal Retirement Community’s financial operations. From planning to execution, Lynne understands all aspects of the finances of Bishop Gadsden’s nearly 40 million budget, as well as handles the management of all financing needs. Lynne was in public accounting from 1982 through 2012, leaving as a Director with Dixon Hughes in their Tax Department upon joining Bishop Gadsden in 2012.

A graduate of the College of Charleston, with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration, Lynne attained her CPA License in South Carolina in 1988. She received her certification as a Medical Practice Executive in 2004, and her certification in Health Care Compliance in 2017.

Aaron Roop, MBA and LNHA

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS

Kimberly M. Borts, CFM

VICE PRESIDENT OF MISSION AND COMMUNICATIONS

Jonna J. Cook, MS, HSE, NHA, CRCFA, LPN

VICE PRESIDENT OF HEALTH SERVICES

Jim A. Epper

VICE PRESIDENT OF CULINARY SERVICES

Katie Jayne, NHA, CPCO

VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNITY LIFE AND COMPLIANCE

Daniel Larrabee

VICE PRESIDENT OF FACILITY OPERATIONS

Theodore Lu, JD

VICE PRESIDENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES

Laura Wilson

VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING

A life plan community that’s
anything but retired.

Reimagine what it means to age.

A mission lived
every day.

This is who we are. This is what makes our community
extraordinary.