HISTORY-click on pictures to enlarge

First Hephzibah Children's Home, Built in 1833
Originally located in Bolingbroke, Ga.
(Now relocated and restored on our new campus.)
From our humble beginnings in 1900, to our present location we have always reflected, quality service, loving care and shown the love of God to our residents. Over the past 100 years we have been faithful in our commitment to children. As we move into this new millennium we anticipate having an even greater influence on the needs of children and young people.

The History of Hephzibah
It was by divine appointment that Miss Sarah Elizabeth (Bettie) Tyler took in four boys - Clarence, Ollie, Frank and Arnold. She and her sister Mollie began the orphanage on their family farm in 1900. Word of their ministry spread and in 1906 the orphanage was moved to a much larger house on Vineville Avenue in Macon, Georgia, where they remained for six years. In June of 1912, the home was completely destroyed by an accidental fire. Many people feared this was the end of Hephzibah but by faith Miss Bettie told the staff and children that God had showed her a passage in Haggai 2:8-9 and in her words she said "God is going to give us a better place than we lost. He's got the silver and gold to do it!"

In August 1912, Hephzibah purchased and moved to a 67 acre farm on Forsyth Road in Macon Georgia (now the location of the Macon Northside Hospital). What an ideal spot! 

67 acre farm home on Forsyth Road
After years of caring for needy children, Miss Bettie felt it was time to turn the reins over to someone else. In 1922, in exchange for the $5.00 purchase price, the Southern Conference of the Wesleyan Methodist Church (now The Wesleyan Church) took on the responsibility for the children's home.

New Homes built from sale of property in late 1940
In the late 1940s, state regulations began to change creating a great need to improve the facilities. As a result, all but 15 acres were sold and the funds were used for new construction. New buildings and building improvements continued through the 50s.

Facility
In 1984, the Board of Directors purchased 185 acres on Zebulon Road on the northwest side of Macon. It was purchased with a hope that one day the ministry would be relocated and give the Home room to expand services and help many more children and young people.

Under the direction of the Board of Directors and the General Director, Dr. Larry E. Freels, the home began to solicit funds, challenge volunteers and raise awareness of this ministry in the life of The Wesleyan Church and the Macon Community. 

General Director, Dr. Larry E. Freels

It wasn't until the fall of 1994 that the construction of Phase One would begin. The immediate goal was the completion of all the infrastructure, construct four - 8,000 square foot resident homes, a new dining hall and an administration building. A formidable task to say the least. Many wonderful and miraculous events took place along the way. The Wesleyan Church responded with an unprecedented three year offering of over $800,000. 

Volunteers

Perhaps, one of the more remarkable miracles came to us in the form of volunteers. We had no idea we would have such a phenomenal response by volunteers. Skilled professionals teamed up with willing lay people to form a work force to construct the new facility. Many local business and lay people volunteered their time and equipment. Hundreds of people came from all across the United States and Canada through the network of The Wesleyan Church. 

The generous giving by the Church Body, private donors and foundations, coupled with the sale of the old property, cleared the way for Hephzibah Children's Home to open the doors to its new facility in July 1997. 

For update on new construction since moving to Zebulon Road
 Click here for the "Visual Tour"