Ben Davis, left, president and CEO of Connie Maxwell Children’s Home, celebrated the 115th anniversary of Connie Maxwell’s ministry to children in need with trustee chairman Randy Keasler, center, pastor of Westminster Baptist Church, and Mike Moody, South Carolina Baptist Convention president and pastor of First Baptist Church, Honea Path. Trustees met on the campus May 5.Connie Maxwell Children’s Home opened its doors on May 22, 1892, after J.C. Maxwell and his wife Sarah offered in 1891 their 470-acre farm, their home and a sizeable amount of money for this new ministry. Named for their 7-year-old daughter Connie whom they lost to scarlet fever, the Connie Maxwell Children’s Home, established by South Carolina Baptists, is celebrating its 115th year of ministry.
Today, there are approximately 135 children in residential care at any given time, with another 300 or so who are helped annually through counseling and referral. The Home has more than 1,000 acres of land, 17 homes for the children, a church and chapel, a gym, swimming pool, tennis courts, campground, a horse and cattle farm, office and support buildings, and five satellite locations throughout the state, in addition to the main campus and headquarters in Greenwood.
Ben Davis, president, commented, “We are blessed to partner with Baptist churches and individuals and to have God’s leadership and guidance in this necessary ministry for boys and girls. Please keep our children and staff in your prayers, and join us in thanking God for his blessings during the past 115 years.”