In October 1944, representatives of 17 local Reformed Church in America and Christian Reformed churches met to discuss the growing need of seniors in the community. It was decided that Holland needed its own Christian home for the aged. What was first known as "Holland Home for the Aged" was incorporated as Resthaven Patrons, Inc. in May 1945. The founders' intention for the project was made clear in their first printed appeal to Holland churches; "Resthaven is intended to be just what its name implies, a Haven of Rest for elderly and retired people who need and deserve a quiet place in which to spend their sunset days."

To immediately serve the needs of the community in 1945, Resthaven rented rooms to accommodate 11 residents and a matron in a house on the corner of 10th Street and Central Avenue in Holland. The home served early needs, but within a short time, the facility was no longer adequate to meet the demand for senior housing in Holland.

In 1948, land for Resthaven Retirement's current site on 32nd Street was purchased. Ground was broken six years later, and a new, 26-room home opened in June 1955. By 1969, construction of additional wings provided Resthaven Retirement with the capacity of 103 residents.

Resthaven's popularity continued to increase after the 32nd Street facility expansions of the 1950s and 1960s. By 1980, more people were on Resthaven's waiting list than lived in the 32nd Street facility. The need for an additional facility prompted the Board of Trustees of Resthaven Patrons, Inc. to purchase the historic Warm Friend Hotel in downtown Holland in 1981. After renovation, 100 apartments for independent living were available at Resthaven Warm Friend for area seniors. Together, Resthaven Patrons' two facilities, Resthaven Retirement and the Warm Friend, had the capacity to serve over 200 residents.

In 1989, community need for a total care facility led to Resthaven Patrons, Inc.'s purchase of a licensed nursing care facility, the Resthaven Care Center. The Care Center helped to fill in Resthaven Patron's continuum of care and services for its residents. With the addition of Resthaven Care Center, Resthaven Patrons was able to provide several levels of service to the community, including independent living, supportive care, and skilled nursing care.

Realizing that those in need of specialized health care as they recover from illness of injury may not require rehabilitation facilities, Resthaven Patrons, Inc. established Resthaven Home Care in 1993. Home Care has allowed Resthaven to serve its residents and other community members in their homes as they recover. Resthaven Home Care became Medicare certified in 1996.

To meet the needs of a growing population of elders suffering from dementia through focused care, Resthaven Patrons, Inc. opened the Good Shepherd Home, a specialized Alzheimer's home attached to Resthaven Care Center, in 1996.

Today, Resthaven Patrons, Inc. serves over 600 individuals through Resthaven Retirement, Warm Friend, Resthaven Care Center, Good Shepherd Home, and Resthaven Home Care. It is the mission of Resthaven Patrons to glorify God by providing a continuum of quality care and services to individuals that demonstrates the love and compassion of Jesus Christ.

From eleven residents in ten rented room in 1945 to over 650 served in three facilities and Home Care this year, Resthaven has grown to meet the changing needs of the Holland area's aging population through support from the community. Resthaven Patrons, Inc. remains an independent, not-for-profit corporation dedicated to meeting the needs of residents, community members, and employees in the context of the Christian faith.