History

The beginnings of L’Arche (French for “the Ark”) stirred in 1964, when Jean Vanier became aware of the struggle of thousands of people with intellectual disabilities who were institutionalized in France.

Through his friendship with a Catholic priest, Father Thomas Philippe, he felt moved by God to invite two men, Raphael Simi (pictured with Jean) and Philippe Seux, to leave the institutions where they resided and share their lives with him in a real home in Trosly-Breuil, France.

Having begun with that first home in Trosly-Breuil, France, and through the support of many, L’Arche grew around the world.

Since that time, L’Arche has grown exponentially…and is still growing! Throughout the world, in 140 communities of 37 countries, L’Arche communities are calling together persons with and without disabilities to share their lives together in profound ways.

The first L’Arche community in the United States was founded in Erie, Pennsylvania, in 1972. In 1997, L’Arche USA was established to support communities of L’Arche in the U.S.