A rich community life of caring, intimate, family-like homes in Stratford, Ontario, a city renown for its cultural and artistic life. LArche Stratford opened its doors in August of 1973 in the former convent at St Joseph Catholic Church. Marjorie Pickersgill began the community with Gary McRae as the first core member along with four assistants. The program quickly expanded adding one core member a month. Today the community includes 24 core members in four houses, one townhouse and two apartments with numerous assistants, volunteers and staff.