HISTORICAL VIGNETTE: Children’s Homes have hosted children, cows, hogs and a pony

In 1904 the Florida Baptist Children’s Home had 23 residents. One hundred years later, in 2004, they had ministered to over 23,000 children. From the first year to the centennial year is a story of love, faith, professionalism, and caring.

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The Florida Baptist Orphanage opened its doors February 1, 1904. The first year the orphanage received two barrels of syrup, two barrels of jellies, two barrels of sweet potatoes, assorted groceries, clothes, shoes, and quilts.

In 1904, the Florida Baptist Orphanage had total receipts of $2,468.85 and total expenditures of $2,250.80. The electric and telephone bill for the year totaled $46.02. Postage for the year was $14.03 and the annual laundry bill was $55.65. At the end of the first year there were four employees, 23 residents, 80 acres, a cow, two hogs, 35 chickens, a wagon, a buggy, and a pony.

Earl Joiner in his Florida Baptist Children’s Homes: A History of Caring states that his book was a story of “children in crisis.” The first child received in the Baptist orphanage at Arcadia was Juanita Martinez, a little Cuban girl who entered the home February 1, 1904, the first day of operation. By the end of 1904 there were 11 boys and 12 girls.

In the 100th year operation of the Florida Baptist Children’s Homes there have been eight chief administrators: B. M. Bean (1904-1911), J. E. Trice (1911-1932), T. M. Johns (1932-1969), Roger Dorsett (1969-1974), Walter Delamarter (1974-1984), Richard Phillips (1984-1994), Charles Hodges (1994-2003), and Jimmy McAdams (2003- ).

Children’s Homes residents listen carefully as Superintendent T.M. Johns reads aloud

The longest serving chief administrator has been Thomas Maxwell Johns (1898-1977). Johns was born in Headland, Alabama, and graduated from the University of Florida. He taught school in central Florida for ten years and then he and his wife dedicated themselves to assisting needy children.

Johns led in moving the Children’s Home from Arcadia to Lakeland in 1945. He introduced the concepts of vocational training, casework services, foster care, and family style cottages for the children’s home.

Johns and his wife, Susie Elizabeth Spires Johns, served at the Children’s Home from July 7, 1932, to June 20, 1968. Johns also served as president of the Florida Baptist State Convention in 1965. His son, John Ed Johns, served as president of Furman University.

There are now residential care facilities located in Miami, Fort Myers, Lakeland, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, and Pensacola. Foster home services are located all across the state.

From serving 23 children to serving 23,000 over a period of 100 years, the Florida Baptist Children’s Homes has worked with vitality and integrity to minister to the least of these.