Meet Three Epworth Miracles
For over 120 years, thousands of children and families have turned to Epworth in times of need.
For generations, Epworth has made
the difference in the lives of children and families.
Epworth's Mission Continues to Change Lives
The Every Child is a Miracle campaign is responding to the changing needs of children and families
and the evolving landscape of child welfare at a state and federal level.
and the evolving landscape of child welfare at a state and federal level.
A Second
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Groundbreaking Programs
Along with strengthening Epworth's high-quality residential programs, the new Institute for Child and Family Wellbeing will expand Epworth's reach into the communities of our state. |
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A letter from Epworth's President
According to the Epworth Story, co-authored by Eva Grey Hutchins and Alan Keith-Lucas, within seven weeks of the report at the Methodist Annual Conference in December of 1895 of the purchase of property to found an orphanage, the first two children, little Marian Clark Hawes, 9 and little Joe Wilburn Hawes, 8, arrived at Epworth Orphanage by train from Lynchburg, South Carolina. Thus began an amazing work of providing shelter, sustenance, help and healing to children who came to Epworth from all parts of South Carolina.
Since that time the original orphanage/farm has seen many changes, but one thing remains unchanged. The consistent element at Epworth is the opportunity for children and youth who may have experienced a tough beginning to change the trajectory of their lives from a path of pain and brokenness to one of hope, healing, and wholeness.
Epworth’s history has been marked by periods of remarkable positive change. Epworth is now on the cusp of living into a new chapter that may just change the face of child welfare in South Carolina. I invite you to underscore the belief that Every Child is a Miracle by joining in the work of Epworth Children’s Home through your financial gifts.
With kindest regards,
John E. Holler, President, CEO
P.S. In 1896 when little Marian Hawes arrived at Epworth she was afraid of sleeping alone, so as long as she and her younger brother Joe were the only two children in care, the two of them could share a room. However, when four days later, another little boy, Harry Spivey, was admitted, modesty required that she have a room to herself. But Mrs. Waddell, the superintendent’s wife, was understanding of Marian’s fears so she worked out a system by which Marian and Joe went to bed in separate beds but in the same room, and then when Marian and Joe were safely tucked in, the other little boy, after getting ready for bed elsewhere, crept through the darkness and slipped into bed beside Joe.
That was over 122 years ago, and every person that Epworth serves continues to be viewed as a miracle.
Since that time the original orphanage/farm has seen many changes, but one thing remains unchanged. The consistent element at Epworth is the opportunity for children and youth who may have experienced a tough beginning to change the trajectory of their lives from a path of pain and brokenness to one of hope, healing, and wholeness.
Epworth’s history has been marked by periods of remarkable positive change. Epworth is now on the cusp of living into a new chapter that may just change the face of child welfare in South Carolina. I invite you to underscore the belief that Every Child is a Miracle by joining in the work of Epworth Children’s Home through your financial gifts.
With kindest regards,
John E. Holler, President, CEO
P.S. In 1896 when little Marian Hawes arrived at Epworth she was afraid of sleeping alone, so as long as she and her younger brother Joe were the only two children in care, the two of them could share a room. However, when four days later, another little boy, Harry Spivey, was admitted, modesty required that she have a room to herself. But Mrs. Waddell, the superintendent’s wife, was understanding of Marian’s fears so she worked out a system by which Marian and Joe went to bed in separate beds but in the same room, and then when Marian and Joe were safely tucked in, the other little boy, after getting ready for bed elsewhere, crept through the darkness and slipped into bed beside Joe.
That was over 122 years ago, and every person that Epworth serves continues to be viewed as a miracle.