RWC History

Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury has a rich history beginning with our founding in 1985.

We are a continuing care community (also known as a life plan community) providing the highest quality living experience for discerning senior adults. Situated on 165 beautiful acres outside the village of Irvington in Virginia’s Northern Neck, RWC residents choose to live here for the independent and worry-free lifestyle afforded in a tranquil setting.

Meet some of our interesting residents!

Download our campus map.

Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury Inc. is a Virginia nonprofit corporation affiliated with the Episcopal and Presbyterian churches. All religions are welcome.

Find out more about living our lifestyle!

Spectacular lakefront scenery greets residents as they use the walkway toward the gazebo

FAQs

We are situated on a rural 165-acre campus outside the village of Irvington, away from the stress of city life but still close enough to visit Richmond, Hampton Roads and Washington, DC. History buffs, golfers, boating enthusiasts and those who enjoy small-town charm will find Virginia’s Northern Neck the ideal place to relax and pursue lifelong passions or explore new interests.

With the opening of our Life Enrichment Center, we are taking fitness and our creative arts to a whole new level. The 18,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility includes an aquatics area, exercise classrooms, fitness equipment, locker rooms and community spaces. There’s even a woodworking shop! About 85 percent of our residents participate in some kind of exercise routine. Walking trails and golf are nearby. However, here, you can do a little or do a lot. Our peaceful campus is equally conducive to quietly watching nature or curling up with a good book. Get the scoop on other reasons why our residents love living here.

We have a wide range of choices, from apartments, cottages, and free-standing homes to suites and private rooms throughout the continuum of care including assisted living. Our Birdsong House is a residential home for residents who are experiencing mild to moderate cognitive impairment or memory challenges. To see photos and videos of our campus and residents or to take 3-D virtual tours of some of the housing options, go to https://rw-c.org/photo-gallery. Our marketing team also will work with you individually to find the best place for you and then, help you make it your own.

RWC has a one-time entrance fee, which guarantees the health care you want if your needs change. An additional monthly fee covers all routine expenses such as home maintenance inside and out, and most utilities.

Entrance fees and monthly fees vary greatly. Please fill in this information form to get a detailed list of fees.

Fees include a continuum of care which means once you are accepted as a resident of our facility, you will receive our exceptional care for the rest of your life. Additionally, fees include your living space (apartment, cottage or single-family home), utilities, meal plans, 24/7 emergency call system, and exterior maintenance and repairs inside and outside of your home. You will no longer even have to change a light bulb in this maintenance-free community!

Casual dining inside and out is available daily in the Lakeside Grille, where you may select from a number of tasty main courses, appetizers, soups and desserts prepared by a chef. The more formal Lancaster Room is available for dinner reservations on Friday and Saturday or for Sunday brunch. Additionally, RWC is one of the few area communities to offer Grind Dining™ – an innovative culinary technique involving preparing and presenting food in a way that retains the taste, texture, nutrition and consistency of regular menu items for seniors with cognitive, neuromuscular and chewing disorders.

Yes! Animals are welcome at RWC and you’ll see many fellow residents taking their furry friends for walks throughout the campus. You can have pets in all living quarters, but not in the dining rooms or common areas such as the Chesapeake Center.

Our biggest and most popular events are dinner/dance parties. We hire the best bands in the area to provide the music and our Dining Services team does an outstanding job with the food and drinks. Our trips to historical places, concerts and other events always draw a crowd.

Art is a big draw at RWC. We have rotating artists’ exhibitions every month for our residents to enjoy. Our watercolor and other art classes are also very popular.

On the intellectual side of the house, RWC is proud of its Viewpoints series that has been going strong since 2002. Held in winter and spring, Viewpoints is a free speaker and lunch series open to the community. Noteworthy speakers have included best-selling author David Baldacci, ABC News correspondent Ann Compton, White House photographer Michael Geissinger and many more.

Sometimes the signs are obvious, but other times, our prospective residents are not sure about timing. To help with the decision-making process, take this 4-5 minute survey to clarify needs and preferences to make the choice that’s right for you and your family.
We have partnered with MoneyGauge, an online tool where you can answer just 7 questions including age, income and assets to get a preliminary assessment. The information is secure and is not shared with any other third parties. Take the assessment now!

Staff

Get to know our RWC staff members. Click on a staff members’ name to view their bio.

Stuart Bunting
Stuart Bunting

President and CEO
804-438-4003

Phil Williams
Phil Williams

Vice President of Operations
804-438-4008

Jay DePew
Susan Vaughn

CFO/Controller
804-438-4102

Jay DePew
Wanda Wallin

Vice President of Human Resources
804-438-4244

Jay DePew
Shanee’ M. Jones, LNHA

Vice President Health Services
804-438-4032

Board

Scott Blandford

Phillip Booth

Dwight Clarke

Wes Charlton

Norm Faulkner

Rebecca Foster

Dr. Merthia Haynie

Lynn Kellum

Rev. Megan Limburg

Nancy O’Shaughnessy

Contact Us

Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury
132 Lancaster Dr.
Irvington, VA 22480

(804) 438-4000
Toll Free: 800-792-1444
Fax: 804-438-4027

Email: [email protected]