The following early history of the JBHC was found among my Grandfather, Percy Leon Thomas' papers. This material included typwritten carbon copies (some letter-size and some legal-size paper, stapled or straight pinned (yes, straight pinned) together), and a few pictures. While the authors of these reports are unknown, the information was intended as reports by and/or to the Board of Trustees of the JBCH, of which Percy was a member for many years.

Baptist Home for Children, like many other Christian institutions, had it's beginning centuries ago. When Jesus Christ walked this earth in human form, he manifested his own and his Father's interest in "child welfare" by taking the children in his kingdom when he said, "Of such is the Kingdom of Heaven". He told his disciples, quite definitely, what he expected of them with relation to children when he said to them "Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not"; and when he said to Peter "Feed" or "Tend my lanbs".

These and similar words from the lips of the Master have echoed in the minds and the hearts of men down through the corridors of time. The fires of love that burned in His heart have kindles the home-fires of love in the hearts of followers.

Wherever his disciples have gone childhood has been blessed. Where children have been in need, there the spirit of Christ, in some disciple, has manifested itself in definite effort to relive that need. It be true, and of course it is true, - that "he that hath not the spirit of Christ, is none of his", it surely follows that one of the signs of a true disciple is love and care for children.

There must be very few Christian people in Jacksonville, - or any where else, who seeing a child in trouble, would not be moved with compassion and with a desire to bring relief. It usually remains for some practically minded Christian to bring to that common feeling a way to express itself in practical deed.

Every child born into this world has a natural right to a home. Every child, to be properly fed and cared for, needs a home. If, by reason of death, sickness, misfortune or the depravity of one or both parents, a child deprived of a home, then some way should be provided for that child to have a home.

It was this spirit of Christ in the hearts of his disciples in Jacksonville; It was this Christ like compassion for needy children in and about this city; It was the practical mindedness of one or more of Christ's servants that led to the establishment of the Baptist Home for Children.

When Brother Solomon J. Highsmith, a member of the Main Street Baptist church, in the early nineteen-twenties, came to his Pastor, Dr. W. L. C. Mahon and offered to give an eight acre tract of land to the Jacksonville Baptist Association to be used to establish and maintain an orphanage or home for destitute children, he was surely moved by the spirit of Christ and in a practicaly way, was trying to do something to meet the need that he saw.

When Dr. Mahon presented this offer to the Executive Committee of the Jacksonville Association at its regular meeting in January, 1924, and that Executive Committee voted that a special Committee should take the matter under consideration and report at the next meeting, that Executive committee was only responding to the impulse that had been generated in Christian Hearts from the time of Christ's earthly ministry.

The Special Committee reported back to the Executive Committee at each meeting, and the Executive Committee, in turn, reported to the Annual meeting of the Association held in Baldwin October 21, 23, 1924, recommending that the offer of Brother Highsmith be accepted and that $10,000 in cash and pledges be raised, with which to erect the first unit of the institution; also that the Executive Committee of the Association be intrusted with the execution of this proposition.

During this same annual meeting, the Association adopted another resolution in which it was voted to extablesh a children's Home and that a committee of five be appointed to raise the $10,000 referred to in the vote already taken and that said Committee of five be authorized, if necessary, to employ a man to raise the funds.

This Committee of five were W. G. Jones, of the First Church, Jacksonville; A. E. Ogilvie, Callahan; A. C. Shuler, Calvary; T. F. Rivers, Woodlawn and A. R. Colcord, Riverside.

During the following associational year, W. G. Jones, having resigned as chairman of the Committee on Children's Home, J. R. Castine was elected in his place and the members of his Committee were created Trustees of the Jacksonville Association to accept the deed of the property offered by brother Highsmith and to apply for a charter for the establishment of an orphanage. Later, Brother Highsmith was added to this Board, which then consisted of seven members, J. R. Castine, W. G. Jones, A. C. Shuler, A. E. Tgilvie, T. F. Rivers, A. R. Colcord and S. J. Highsmith.

This Board of Trustees further organized by the election of A. C. Shuler, Vice-president; and A. R. Colcord, Secretary-treasurer. Rev. G. E. Jones was secured as field agent to raise funds.

Brother Highsmith deeded over the property he had offered, consisting of eight acres of land, about five miles north of the center of Jacksonville in Lem Turner Park. Main Street Church gave the Home a building to be used as a receiving home, downtown, which gift was accepted by the Trustees, who then bought the lot at 17 Cottage Avenue to which it was proposed to move the aforesaid building. this lot cost $3,000. Labor difficulties temporarily hindered the removal of the building. Later, it was decided, because of the difficulty of moving, to build new and during the year 1926, the present building on the Cottage Avenue lot was rapidly pushed to completion. It consisted of a two story brick, with a basement. The basement was used as a dining room, kitchen, etc and the first and second stories for dormotories.

The Home was incorporated December 16, 1926, under the name, The Baptist children's Home of Jacksonville, amended to in 1932 to "Baptist Home for Children". Fifteen members constituted its Board of Trustees, five of them being elected each year. After the organization of the N. E. Florida Baptist Association, the number of trustees was raised to twenty seven, of whom 21 were elected by the Jacksonville Association and six by the N. E. Florida Association.

The Home was opened for the admission of children in January 1927. It was a noble adventure in Christian faith, faith in God and faith in the Christian people of the Jacksonville Association. There was the shadow of considerable debt, amounting to over $15,000, at the end of 1927 and no visible means of support. While the Jacksonville Association had voted to extablish the Home, had appointed a committee to formulate plans and authorize said committee to proceed with the work, had elected trustees and endorsed the project as it grew for an idea in the mind to a reality in ground and building, the association had provided no no money for the maintenance of the institution.

The Home never shared in the funds of the co-operative program. For reasons that seemed wise to the trustees, it has never made application for a part in the Community Chest funds. It has been dependent, from the start, on the freewill gifts and offerings from the churches of the association, later of the two associations, and of other friends who were interested in the work being done.

Almost from the day it was opened, the accommodations were found insufficient for the needs of children desiring admittance. In its report tothe Asssociation in October 1927, less than a year from the opening, 79 children were then in the Home. For the sake of the children who were admitted, limitations had to be set to the number received.

In the report of 1928, there is a statement that "an intensive investigation of each case admitted proves that these have been emergency cases, cases of dire distress and need".. This report goes on to say that the "applicants turned away from the doors of the Home had almost outnumbered these admitted. A stronger statement than this might have been made every year since the Home was established. Nor is there any prospect that the need will grow less.

On November 13, 1928, less than two years after the opening of the Home, the Executive Committee proposed and the Board of trustees adopted a resolution looking to the payment of current debts and an "immediate plan to be set in motion that work be started on the tract of land on the Lem Turner road. It is the opinion of the Executive Committee that the present plant is wholly inadequate and unsuited for the purposes of our Home".

MERGER

At lease twice, in the history of the Home, there has been discussion and conferences as to possible merger of the Home and that at Arcadis. the first time in 1925, a committee was appointed by the Jacksonville Association to appeal to the state convention asking for a change in the charter of the Home at Arcadia, so that, by some plan of mutual agreement the future operation of both bodies might be carried on under the enlargement of the scope of the general children's home program of the state convention. This Committee consisted of Dr. Len G. Broughton, Mr. J. R. Castine and Dr. W. L. C. Mahon. The Committee had a converence with the Trustees of the Arcadia Home who took the matter under consideration but nothing further came of it.

In 1935, an affiliation with Arcadia was discussed but there was at general agreement that there is room for both Homes, without overlapping.

OFFICERS

There have been only four presidents of the Board of Trustees. John R. Castine was the first, serving as head of the associational committee, and then President of the Board until November 1, 1927. E. N. Upshaw followed Mr. Castine, serving until April 7, 1936, when he resigned to take a position in another city. James S. Ramis was elected to succeed Mr. Upshaw, but declined to permit his nomination at the annual meeting in November 1936. Dr. John H. Mitchell was then elected and has continued to serve in that office until now.

for Vice-President there have been only three incumbents, A. C. Shuler, Hal Blitsch and Percy Thomas. The latter was elected in 1928 and re-elected every year since.

Not less than nine people have held the office of Secretary, as follows: J. A. Colcored, Percy Thomas, Rev. E. D. McDaniel, J. R. Castine, OL.T. Townsend, Mrs. J. W. Harroll, Jewell Danis, Mrs. W. F. Clarks and Dr. R. R. Kennan.

J. A. Colcord served both as secretary and treasurer in the early years. J. S. Ramis served for about ten years as treasurer, starting in 1927. In 1936, Mr. A. Port became treasurer, serving acceptably until his health made it necessary for him to retire, in 1944. At that time Mr. Glen Marshall Jr. was elected.

At the opening of the Home in January 1927, F. M. Jeffers became first superintendent of the Home. He was followed by Mrs. Mel C. Leonard until September 1928. Rev. E. D. McDaniel and John R. Castine were acting superintendent for about a year and six months respectively during 1929 and 1930. In February 1932, Brinson McGowan was elected superintendent and Mrs. McGowan Supervisor. Sister McGowan gave three years of beautiful service to the Home in caring for the children. In 1934 she was called to her reward. Brother McGowan, familiary known as "Daddy Mac" continued as Superintendent, doing untiring service until 1943, when resigned because of failing strength. He has continued to act, however, with reduced responsibilities until the present time.

There have been four or more field agents or solicitors, but only for brief periods in times of emergency.

FINANCIAL

In the process of buying a lot and erecting the building thereon, a debt accrued and a mortgage of $9,500 was placed on the property. This mortgage was paid off with the proceeds of a new loan, and a new mortgage, increased to $10,500, was placed on the property, which remained for several years, a shadow on the property and an embarrasment to all concerned. The interest on the mortgage, the expense of maintaining the Home and the depression of the early thirties resulted in repeated deficiencies, sometimes running as high as four or five thousand dollars. Friends were found in busines sand professional circles as well as in the churches, doctors and dentist gave their services freely. Merchants gave goods, credit and discount on bills. Special appeals brought temporary relef and by 1937 the annual report showed all current accounts paid, including $500 on the mortgage.

In general, it may be said that the current expenses for the Home, from year to year, ahs never been as great as during the first years of it's existence. some years, the expense has been as low as one-half of what it was in 1929 and 1930. this year's request for $1,000 a month for maintenance is less than was received and paid out during the years 1929 and 1930. Both receipts and expenses for each of these years were over fourteen thousand dollars.

The Home has benefited by one bequest by the will of Mrs. M. M. McKinney of Lake Butler, which netted the Home $529.89. It was also the recipient of a piece of property given by Mrs. Perry Nall and sold for $500.

When Dr. Mitchell became president of the Board of Trustees, in 1936, there wee three things the accomplishment of which, he put before the Board as goals to be attained. First, the payment of the debt, a mortgage of $10,000. Second, securing a suitable location for a permanent Home. Third, the erection of buildings adequate and suitable for such a Home as was desired. Dr. Mitchell was evidently a firm believer in certain principles of salesmanship such as "Faith begets Faith" and "a good salesman must himself be sold on the proposition he has to present to others".

Like James, he would show and have other(sic) show faith by works. That kind of a spirit was contagious. Each year showed a substantial reduction in the debt, and on July 23, 1941, the mortgage was paid in full. The first point in the triple goal ws attained.

A NEW HOME IN PROSPECT

In October of 1941, the associations were asked to approve the plan to purchase land for a new Home, which they did.

Much time was spent in visiting and considering various offers and locations but not until teh Spring 1943 was the present site at Glendale selected. This was the quite unanimous and enthusiastic choice of the Board, as of all who visited the property.

A brish (sic) program of solicitation was put on. No appeal was made to the churches but individuals soon contributed the amount necessary. On July 3, 1943, the property was fully paid for in cash.

This same property was purchased in 1926 by New York parties who planned to put it on the market in building lots. They paid a thousand dollars a acre for it, a total of $53,000. Time went on, and for one reason or another, the sale was neglected.

This property cost our Board $15,000. To a reverent heart, it would seem evident that Providence has had a hand in preserving this virgin spot and opening the way for the Baptist to have it for their Home for Children.

Thursday afternoon, July 15, 1943 Baptist representing the churches of the Jacksonville and Northeast Florida associations met here for a basket picnic and dedicatory service. Here, amid a setting of exquisite natural beauty, surrounded by acres of virgin timber from whose lefty branches swing airplants of many varieties, and whose undergrowth reveals ferns of many species, we were reminded, in the address given by Rev. L.A. Rawls, Pastor of Trinity Baptist Church, that the groves were God's first temples. "He hath made everything beautiful in His time" quoted the preacher, and, standing under the huge trees, venerable with age, we know that it was so. For perfection of beauty and naturalness of growth, this property cannot be surpassed anywhere in Duval County.

This beauty spot is on the banks of Little Pottsburg creek, which is tributary to St. Johns river. Small pleasure craft land on the property. The creek is ten feet deep with nigh banks and a fine swimming hole within the bounds of the property. This has been a popular resort for picnic parties.

Perhaps the most unusual features are the natural springs, whose crystal waters have attracted people for many years. Water from these springs has been bottled and kept for a period of ten years without showing any deposit or discoloration. The volume of water is not affected by rains of drought. As recently as 1930, a water company established a bottling plant here for commercial purposes.

People still come here, even from long distances, for drinking water. The water is so pure that it can be used safely in the battery of an automobile.

Here, the child distressed by the evils of this world, will find a veritable children's paradise. Nature's beauty will be enriched but not destroyed. The sloping grass and shady woodlands will be a heaven on earth to many a needy child. It will be a refuge of peace and joy in a disturbing world. Various recreational facilities and accommodations for picnic parties will be installed.

Without question, the development of this property will mean a site of unrivaled beauty, comparable to any place in te state. That this is to be the future Baptist Home for Children shows the unselfish quality of the leadership and the generous and farsighted determination of the Board of Trustees to make the Baptist Home for Children the very finest institution of its kind in the state.

BUILDING

Immediately after the purchase of the Glendale property, a proposition for the erection of the first unit of the building project was laid before the churches and gifts were solicited. In order that every precaution might be taken to assure as near perfection as possible, a committee of three, from the Trustees, visited various Homes for children in neighboring states. They were determined to profit by the mistakes as well as the successes of these institutions. From a wealth of information thus gained and with a competent architect to put the material in shape, the present plans were finally decided on. As priorities were secured and funds were obtained, the building of the first and largest unit, the Administration Building, ws carried to completion.

Ground was broken for this building May 8, 1944, Superintendent Brinson McGowan throwing out the first spadeful of earth, while an interested group of people from the various churches watched the proceedings.

From the very beginning of the new building proposition, it was an established rule that no debt should be allowed to accrue. The property is fully paid for and will be dedicated free of debt. No debt will be permitted, so far as human foresight can control.

The general type of architecture is simplified early American Colonial, the compotition is brick and tile, as nearly fire-proof as possible. This jewel of a building is in a setting worthy of its beauty, to be surrounded in time by cottages harmonious but not idential in structure and architecture. Each of these cottages will accommodate up to twenty children, placed in them according to sex and age, with a competent Matron in charge.

The cost of the Administration building, including furnishing and equipment is approximately $55,000. Adding the cost of te land makes an investment of $70,000 valued at five or ten thousand dollars more than that.

At least two fo the proposed cottages should be built at once, in order to make the proper and most advantegeious use of the administration building and meet the pressing calls for the care of more children.

POLICY

"The general nature, purposes and object" of the Home, as stated in it's charter, is "to benevolently maintain, support and educate indigent white children."

It was never a money making project, even in intent. It was never a Home for delinquent children or for children who are deficient physically or mentally. It was never intended to be an orphanmage or an adoptive agency. While orphans and half-orphans were received and cared for, like any others from broken homes, the purpose was to care for children whose parents, through death, sickness, misfortune or depravity could not or would not care for them. It was intended not to be a rival of the Home at Arcadia or the Florida Children's Home Society. The Home at Arcadia, at that time and until quite recently was called an orphanage and was intended primarily for orphans. Any seeming rivalry can hardly be called such, in view of the widely separated fields of operation and overwhelming needs.

DELINQUENT CHILDREN

It seems to be a freely acknowledged fact, not only that the number of delinquent children is increasing rapidly, but that the provision for the care of such children, throughout the state, is desperately inadequate in both capacity and suitability. Ninetenths of the counties of the state have no separate courts for handling cases o juvenile delinquency and no place for the detention of such, other than the county jails, where criminals of all kinds are also confined. This, in face of the fact that the commitment age of delinquents grows lower each year. While this Home is not a Home for delinquent children and none should be committed or admitted to it, it has a vital relation to the problem of delinquencey. It is definitely a Home for the care of children from broken homes, regardless of what the cause of the broken homes may have been. It is a matter of record that the great majority of delinquent children come from broken homes, un continue reading part 2 .....