Our History

The Gardens of Fairfax Healthcare Center has a robust history with several former names, including Inner City Nursing Home and Fairfax Place, which was its name when Melvin Sr. and Ethel Pye in 1970. Driven by their Christian commitment to help others, Mr. and Mrs. Pye were pillars of the community. This dedication remains at the heart of The Gardens of Fairfax’s operations.

The Pyes were seasoned entrepreneurs with a track record of community service. In the 1950s, they launched Pye Nursery School in Glenville, Cleveland, which became known for its impactful lessons on values. Their other ventures included a neighborhood store, an ice cream business, a restaurant, and group homes for people with mental illness.

Active in numerous organizations such as the Glenville Opportunity Center and the Boy Scouts, Mrs. Pye also became one of the first Black nursing home administrators in Ohio. Her children, Constance and Melvin Jr., later followed in her footsteps.

The Pye family, dedicated to volunteer work, contributed their time to Fairfax Place without pay, balancing this with their other jobs. The facility, originally located in the former Mt. Zion Congregational Church, evolved from Inner City Nursing Home into Fairfax Place, which opened a state-of-the-art building in 1996 at East 90th Street and Cedar Avenue.

In September 2024, Foundations Health Solutions acquired the building and is honored to continue the legacy of excellence and service established by the Pye family. The Gardens of Fairfax continues to offer comprehensive healthcare services, including long-term care, skilled nursing, and respiratory care.