Our Story
Paxton Ministries was founded in 1981 by a group of local Christians who felt called to help vulnerable individuals struggling with homeless in the Harrisburg area. In a bold move of faith kindled by a scripture passage from Isaiah 58, they purchased the former Messiah Home on Paxton Street (build in 1936) and set about the necessary restoration work to transform an aging building into a safe, welcoming, and comfortably-equipped home for up to 85 adults in need.
Paxton Street Home quickly became a place of refuge for individuals displaced by the closing of state hospitals, along with others whose support needs prevented them from being able to live independently. Operating as a licensed personal care home,
Paxton Street Home has provided safety, stability and compassionate support to hundreds of our region’s most vulnerable citizens.
Over the decades, Paxton Ministries has expanded beyond the walls of
Paxton Street Home to offer a range of housing opportunities and services for adults in need. Through our
Community Living Program, we provide permanent affordable housing for 16 individuals seeking greater independence and peer support. In 2019, we opened
Paxton Place Apartments, a 37-unit apartment building serving low income seniors, in the lot adjacent to
Paxton Street Home. Additionally, we operate a small business—Paxton Solutions—to provide supported part-time employment opportunities to individuals who want to work but have struggled to maintain stable employment in the community.
Our mission--to provide affordable housing and support services to adults in need with Christlike love--continues to guide every aspect of what we do. Just as our founders relied on divine provision for the resources and labor to launch Paxton Ministries, our ongoing ability to sustain this mission depends on the faithful generosity of individual donors, volunteers, churches, civic groups, foundations, and prayer partners who share our call to service and faithfully support us in this vital work.
Inspired To Serve
We continue to be guided by the words that sparked our founding:
“If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.” — Isaiah 58
This isn’t just our legacy—it’s our daily calling.
Paxton Street Home
A welcoming, family-like environment designed to provide stability & support to individuals who benefit from 24-hour on-site staffing.
Hudson Street Apartments
A small, close-knit community of Independent and shared apartments offering limited staff oversight and informal peer support.
Community Lodge Program
Shared, member-managed housing for single adults capable of living and working with minimal staff support.
Paxton Solutions, Inc.
Our social enterprise offering job opportunities to residents and community members with barriers to employment.
Paxton Ministries is faithfully committed to fiscal stewardship and transparency. View our latest audited financial statement on the Financial Reports
page.