About MFS

Q & A: The MFS Acquisition of the Former Greenleaf Retirement Community

Where is the Greenleaf Property?

The former Greenleaf Retirement Community is composed of buildings with postal addresses of 28, 32, 36 and 38 East Main St., and 41 Prospect St. The lot is a four-acre property abutting the MFS campus near the school’s tennis courts and Field House. The main entrance of the Greenleaf property is off of Main St. in Moorestown. A part of the property borders the Moorestown Community House.

An overhead view of the Greenleaf property with approximate boundaries marked in yellow. The red border is the current MFS campus boundary.

What structures are on the Greenleaf property?

The former Greenleaf property is home to five buildings:

• The Main Building, a large, historic building that is clearly visible from Main Street – the rear part of this building has been renovated considerably over the years. It was built in 1820 by Charles French. It was purchased from Edward Harris, Jr. in 1896 to become a residence for retired Friends.
• The South Annex, a two-floor building with 11,000 square feet of space that MFS officials hope to quickly convert to classroom space.
• A split-level house on the back of the property.
• Two historic houses on E. Main St. to the left of the entrance/exit driveway.

Why did the Greenleaf close?

The Quaker-run retirement community served as a boarding home for retired or elderly Friends since 1896. One special connection that Moorestown Friends and the Greenleaf have shared, even before this historic purchase, is that Moorestown Friends School 1901 alumna Alice Paul (1885-1977), famed leader of the women’s suffrage movement, who helped secure the passage of the 19th Amendment guaranteeing for women the right to vote, spent her final years at the Greenleaf.

In recent years, however, the retirement home population had dwindled. The facility was not operating near its capacity. The Greenleaf board determined that it was no longer financially sustainable to operate the retirement home. The Greenleaf closed its doors on June 30.  Prior to closing, the Greenleaf board worked to place the remaining residents in local retirement communities. 

Why has MFS purchased the Greenleaf?

The school has full enrollment and a rich and diverse academic program.  As the academic program has grown over the years, the school is in need of additional classroom and lab space.  The MFS Board of Trustees has acquired the contiguous Greenleaf property to help address this classroom and lab shortfall and to provide increased options for the long-term health of the school for decades to come.

How will the purchase be funded?

The Board of Trustees has endorsed interim funding through a line of credit to enable this purchase. The school has begun a capital campaign to fund the property acquisition and planned renovation of the Greenleaf. The financing of these acquisitions will not draw on current tuition revenue or the school’s operating budget.

How will the Greenleaf property be used?

Over the next few months, the school plans to expeditiously assess and analyze the potential uses of all buildings on the Greenleaf property, working with architects, engineers and Moorestown Township. The school anticipates renovating the South Annex to provide Middle and Upper School Classrooms. The school looks forward to working with Moorestown Township professionals on the associated approvals process.

Does this mean enrollment will be expanding?

No. This purchase was made to provide more physical space for classrooms and laboratories for our current students. Enrollment is currently near capacity at 725 total students.

How will MFS students move back and forth from the current campus to the Greenleaf property?

The Greenleaf property is contiguous to the MFS campus. It is not necessary to cross any street or walk on Main Street to get to the Greenleaf. It is anticipated that a footpath will be installed to connect the buildings on both properties.

What does this mean for the former Acme supermarket at 123 Chester Avenue which the school acquired in December 2006?

Now that the Greenleaf property has been acquired, the school is planning to secure a retail or commercial tenant at 123 Chester Ave. and is working aggressively to lease the property. The MFS Board of Trustees desires to retain the Chester Avenue property for the long term.

Does this mean that the Early Childhood Education Center planned for the former Acme will move to the Greenleaf?

A preliminary review shows that the Greenleaf property is better suited for Middle and Upper School classrooms, which is the school’s greatest space need. Therefore the Greenleaf property will most likely not be used for an Early Childhood Education Center.

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