L’Arche Jacksonville opened in 1985 as Harbor House, a home for adults with intellectual disabilities. Harbor House joined the International Federation of L’Arche communities in 1992, and is now known as L’Arche Jacksonville.

L’Arche is French for “the ark,” a symbol of refuge and the first covenant between God and humanity. The International Federation of L’Arche is a network of 147 communities in 35 countries.  L’Arche Jacksonville is the only L’Arche community in Florida. The aim of L’Arche is to create communities which welcome people who have intellectual disabilities. L’Arche seeks to respond to the distress of those who are too often rejected, and to give them a valid place.