Roanoke United Methodist Home (RUMH) has had a long and rich history in the community. The main building of the Roanoke United Methodist Home now houses the administrative offices, but it was once a private residence for many years.

In 1916, James Castle, a railroad superintendent with N&W Railroad, constructed the Georgian style mansion on 53 acres of land adjoining the Roanoke Country Club golf course. The home, called Casslewold meaning “home in the woods”, was designed by the local architectural firm of Frye and Chesterman. It contained 11 rooms, four baths, a powder room, four servants’ rooms, an impressive entrance way, reception hall, sun porch and library as well as many closets, storage areas, a kitchen, butler’s pantry, wine cellar, three car garage and a three horse stable. The Castle family lived in the home until 1921 when they sold the home to Elmo D. Heins, a well known businessman in Roanoke. Mr. Heins and his family lived in the home until the 1960s. Mr. Heins then sold off lots and developed the area known as Grove Park. He retained ten acres on which the original house still sits.

The Roanoke District of the United Methodist Church purchased Casslewold in March 1964 for $110,000. It was immediately renovated and furnished at a cost of $50,000. The Roanoke Methodist Home opened as a retirement home with accommodations for 6 people in November of that same year. In 1965, the Roanoke Methodist Home entered into the Virginia United Methodist Homes, Inc. system. Ground was broken in March 1965 for a new three-floor addition to Casslewold. It opened for occupancy in September 1966.

RUMH underwent an extensive renovation in 1995 helping to better position the community in a competitive marketplace. RUMH is now a continuing care retirement community offering independent living apartments, multiple levels of assisted living, and health care services.