Groundbreaking

Friends, Family & Neighbors,

On July 1, 2014, the Stephens Family officially began its next chapter, breaking ground for our brand new home at the corner of Krocks and Centronia roads in Allentown. This day was significant on many levels for our family, building on the tradition of the past, the compassion of the present, and our hopes for the future.

The Past

In 1941, my grandfather Stanley, Sr., started the Stephens Funeral Home at 1335 Linden Street in Allentown. During that era, most funerals were conducted in individual’s homes, overtaking the daily activities for days on end. It was Stanley’s belief that, in inviting his friends, family and neighbors to his home for funerals, he could provide a useful service to his community by transforming how individuals were able to say good-bye to their loved ones. In a Morning Call article from 1941, Stanley Sr. notes that he wishes the public to feel that his funeral home is their home for funerals. In doing so, the Morning Call would assert that the new Stephens Funeral Home “marks a definite step forward in funeral homes since nothing has been left undone for the comfort and convenience of the bereaved family” (The Morning Call, July 8, 1941). Stanley Sr. committed his life to serving his community, not only in the physical space he provided; but, in the values he lived on a daily basis, and imparted to each and every member of his family.

Following the death of Stanley Sr., my father, Stanley Jr. assumed leadership of the Stephens Funeral Home. Throughout his time, Stanley Jr. expanded upon the physical space he could provide for his friends, family and neighbors during their time of need, never losing sight of the compassion, family and service that had become synonymous with the name “Stephens.” In his personal and professional capacities, my father has carried himself with grace and commitment, instilling in me from a young age that there was no action too large or small in devotion to the service to others. Observing my father’s commitment to service, and the profound appreciation of each family he was able to serve, helped inspire me to join the funeral home in 1988. My brother-in-law, Rodney, also felt compelled to serve after witnessing his father-in-law Stanley, joining our team in 1999. In 2000, Sandy Brink joined the Stephens Funeral Home, adding great talent for compassion and service to our blossoming Stephens Funeral Home Family. I am so proud of each and every member of my family, their passion for service, selfless character, and strong desire to make a difference in the lives of the families we have the opportunity to serve every day.

The Present

In 2008, I assumed the leadership of the Stephens Funeral Home, allowing my father the opportunity to continue to serve his community, but to also spend much deserved time with my mom and his ten grandchildren. As we were preparing the transition, my father and I realized we were at a crossroads in the history of the Stephens Funeral Home. While we still exemplified the same compassion, family and tradition that the families had come to expect from the Stephens Funeral Home, the 21^st Century had brought about a host of new challenges for families attempting to navigate some of the most trying events in life, challenges that we were committed to alleviating. Unfortunately, we realized our commitment and capacity to service had long surpassed the constraints of our current space that has served families since 1941.

The Future

In 2010, we began the search for a new piece of land, a plot that would provide us a blank canvas upon which to design a physical space that could correspond effortlessly to our capacity and commitment to service. We were incredibly blessed to not only have found the property at the corner of Krocks and Cetronia roads in Allentown, but also a strong team that was capable of turning all of our ambitious dreams into realities. Kevin Cain, of KW Commercial, served as a constant, unfailing resource throughout the search for a new property. Tony Caciolo, of Monogram Custom Homes, sold us the property and has served as an invaluable resource throughout the process. Jim Eck, of Quadratus Construction Management, has been the cornerstone of the process, providing support, guidance and continuing friendship from the earliest stages of the project. Jill Jarrett, of Jarrett Design in Emmaus, has provided an acute taste for design and décor in the interior spaces. Fred Bonsall and Gary Lader of Bonsall-Shafferman Architects have been our visionaries, designing an incredibly beautiful space deeply rooted in the tradition of the Stephens Funeral Home and Colonial Williamsburg; yet, encompassing flexibility and personalization that will allow us to exceed the needs of any family that asks us to serve in the future. I truly believe you will feel as if our new home is your home for funerals, and I am proud to know we are leaving no comfort or convenience undone in our capacity and commitment to serve you during your time of greatest need.

I hope to use this blog to continue to share the exciting progress on construction of the new Stephens Funeral Home. If you have any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you at 610.434.6304 or mattstephensfd@gmail.com.

From my family to yours,

Matthew S. Stephens