The great DuPlantier Oak.
More than two and a half decades at the top
In the late 1970s a group of forward-thinking people, parishioners from St. James Episcopal Church in downtown Baton Rouge, had a vision: to create a full-service retirement community that would satisfy the widest possible range of needs with the absolute finest way of life. They wanted people to think of St. James Place as the first choice for active, successful aging.
They shared a love of life, and wanted a community that offered a high quality lifestyle for older adults with the widest range of options, cuisine, stimulation, peers with whom they could relate - and fun.
St. James Place opened in 1983, fulfilling that vision, and became the first retirement community in the state of Louisiana.
Its fifty-two lush, rolling acres provide the perfect setting for Living Life Well on property that was once the DuPlantier Plantation. The majestic DuPlantier Oak, over 220 years old, is the symbolic centerpiece of the community, an example of great strength, beauty, and character.
What drives us to consistently endeavor to be outstanding? Faithfulness to our mission. We never cease striving to meet the ever changing needs and demands of today’s seniors.
Before the pioneering vision of St. James Episcopal church parishioners, a retirement community for healthy seniors was unheard of the in Gulf South. As seniors transitioned into their sixties, seventies and eighties, home ownership, housekeeping, and cooking every day lost its appeal, dominating precious time they wished to use for such activities and accomplishments like traveling, life long learning, fitness, or finally having time to volunteer. Few people thought about strategic planning by choosing a community offering a full continuum of care. The creation of this first-class community has solidly positioned St. James Place to be the leader in senior living in the Gulf South region.
After a multi-million dollar expansion and renovation in 2001, St. James Place is more extraordinary than ever before.
St. James Place – a treasure set in the heart of Baton Rouge!
Community Governance
Today, several members of the vestry sit on our board of directors. St. James Episcopal church remains our sponsor, but there are no legal or financial ties between us. As a 501 (c) 3, not-for-profit organization, St. James Place is governed by a Board of Directors. The Board consists of business leaders, Episcopal clergy, and community civic leaders. It is guided by our professional staff and Resident Council, which meets monthly to represent the ideas, opinions, compliments and concerns of all residents.
It’s small-town government in a big way: Neighbors care about neighbors.
“I absolutely love being free to do the things I never had time for when I had the weight of home ownership”, says resident Liz Leake. “I feel liberated! My kids can’t believe that I am at taking line dancing classes at the fabulous gym, and swim whenever I want, even in the winter. My social life has bloomed; I’m taking classes, and enjoy a much richer and more fulfilling lifestyle at St. James Place.”