History of Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home

First site of Louisiana Methodist Orphanage in Bunkie, Louisiana

For more than 110 years Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home in Ruston, Louisiana, has met the needs of Louisiana’s vulnerable children and families.

In the very early 1900′s the Methodist Church in Louisiana became concerned with the large number of children who were without parents or homes. The need to provide food, clothing, shelter, and the love of Christ for these orphaned children led to the creation of the Louisiana Methodist Orphanage in 1902.

In 1904, the first residence was opened in Bunkie, Louisiana. That same year, forty acres of land were deeded to the Orphanage Board. In 1906 the Orphanage was relocated to the Ruston community, which today is our permanent location.

Our history is one of resilience, determination and strength. Read about unique events in our past such as Lightning Strike, 1941, Complete Abandonment, and Historic Frustration.

As Society has Changed, We Have Changed.

An obvious example is that due to changes in the needs of children we have served in the last century, we are no longer an orphanage. In the early 1930′s, a trend began, and by the 1940′s we were providing increased care to children from broken homes. In 1958, this trend had so changed our program that the Board of Directors renamed the Orphanage the Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home, a name more descriptive of the needs we served. Most recently in 1993, the Board of Directors changed its corporate name to Louisiana United Methodist Children and Family Services, Inc.to reflect our changing role.

A 1911 postcard given to children for their correspondence with family and friends.

Today, our children come from many backgrounds. They are placed in our care because of situations that make it impossible for them to live in their own homes or in foster care. Today, the Home works with entire families instead of being responsible only for an orphaned child, as was the case in our earlier years.

Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home, administered by Louisiana United Methodist Children and Family Services, Inc., is a non-profit corporation which is owned by the Louisiana Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. Read our Relationship Statement.

Funding for operations is provided from three major sources. Revenues are generated from payment for services from the state agencies and private families who contract with us for residential treatment services for the youth in their custody. A second source of funds are the direct contributions made from individuals and churches who believe in our mission and who choose to support our ministry. Third, our operations are supported from the interest on invested funds that are in a permanent endowment.

The control of the Methodist Children’s Home is vested in the Board of Directors which has overall responsibility for the property, finances, and operation of the institution. The Board is responsible for the selection and oversight of a President/CEO. The Chairperson of the Board, President of the Corporation, all officers of the Board and all Chairpersons of standing committees of the Board serve as an Executive Committee and meet on call.

Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home serves the families and children of Louisiana. Future plans provide for the development of special programs that may be open to residents from other areas.