The History

The Michigan Masonic Home for the elderly moved into the Alma Springs Sanitarium building on State Street in 1912. In 1916, the current Wilcox Building was built next to and attached to the Masonic Home to be used as an infirmary for the Home’s elderly residents. In 1931, the new Masonic Home was opened on Alma’s north side, and the old home was razed. The infirmary building was considered useful and was left standing.

Long-time Alma physician Dr. Thomas Carney in 1933 partnered with Dr. Rex Wilcox, and in 1934 they bought the vacant Masonic infirmary building, and opened Carney-Wilcox Hospital in September 1934.

When the Gratiot Community Hospital opened in 1956, Dr. Rex Wilcox continued to run his hospital for a time but later converted the building into a nursing home. After he passed away, it was run by the Wilcox family until 1988 when it was purchased by David Roslund. He continued to operate it as a nursing facility until he opened the Warwick Living Center on Alma’s outskirts in December 2008.

After residents were moved to the new facility, the old building was empty, but not for long. Mr. Roslund donated the building and surrounding property to United Way of Gratiot County. After some renovations, the building began serving the community as the home of eight non-profit agencies. The Wilcox Non-Profit Center was dedicated on February 3, 2010.

United Way of Gratiot County merged with United Way of Isabella County in 2016. Today, the United Way of Gratiot & Isabella Counties owns and operates the Wilcox Non-Profit Center. United Way is proud to offer affordable rent and a collaborative work environment for non-profit organizations in our local area.

If you’re interested in renting space, please call United Way at (989) 463-6245 or email info@uwgic.org.