OUR LEGACY

Oakview Village has a rich and meaningful history rooted in faith, service, and a commitment to community. Having transitioned into an independent senior living community, its foundation remains rooted in the original mission and cornerstone values of love, meaning, respect, and excellence.

From Humble Beginnings to Thriving Community

Founded in 1957 by the Robert L. West family, Oakview Village was envisioned as a retirement haven for pastors and missionaries. The community was incorporated as a religious non-profit organization affiliated with the Christian Churches and Churches of Christ, part of the historic Restoration Movement of Christianity.

As building got underway, Wendell Inman, Mr. West’s son-in-law, moved into an historical farmhouse on the property near Atascadero Lake to oversee the development. The first few residents lived in the farmhouse while the initial rooms were under construction. In those early days, the administrator’s duties included bookkeeping, public relations, construction, cooking, and a multitude of chores.

A defining moment in the home’s early history occurred in 1959 as the first building was being framed. While a group of ministers from Southern California were visiting, a powerful and unexpected storm tore the roof from the structure and flattened the walls. Undeterred, Wendell and his family salvaged what they could and began rebuilding immediately. Witnessing their perseverance and spirit firsthand, the visiting pastors believed the West family’s mission of helping others would not only survive but thrive. The home opened later that year.

What began as a small retirement home for pastors and missionaries has evolved into an independent senior living community where our founding mission and values remain the same and still guide everything we do. Though our name and services have changed, our heart remains the same: to create a place where seniors feel loved, respected, and truly at home.