Methodist Children’s Home

Description

Methodist Children’s Home offers hope to children, youth and families through a nurturing, Christian community.

History

Methodist Children’s Home was established in 1890 through the efforts of Bishop Joseph S. Key of the Northwest Texas Conference and Dr. Horace Bishop, pastor of Waco’s Fifth Street Methodist Church. The city of Waco bid successfully for the orphanage by donating cash and a 10-acre estate to the Home. Today, Methodist Children’s Home is located on the original site.

In April 1894, Rev. W.H. Vaughan, the Home’s first administrator, answered a knock on the door and found 12-year-old David Harrison, from Hill County, standing on the steps. David said, “Brother Vaughan, my name is David, and I have come to live with you.” By the end of the first year, the Home provided care for 26 children.

Throughout its history, this ministry has changed its name four times. It was founded as the Northwest Texas Conference Orphans Home and was later called Methodist Orphans Home and Methodist Home. The name was changed to Methodist Children’s Home in 1996.