The United Methodist Children’s Home was established in 1871 to care for children orphaned during the Civil War. Originally called the Methodist Orphans’ Home and located in Norcross, the Home moved in 1873 to its present location in Decatur.

By the early 1930s, the institution was serving large numbers of children who could not be termed orphans; therefore, in 1934 the trustees approved changing the name to Methodist Children’s Home.

The Home had its own water system, school and church, and provided much of its own food from the farm. Elementary students continued in the on-campus school until about 1950, when they were absorbed into the DeKalb County system. Farm operations decreased over the years and were completely stopped in the 1960s.

The two primary services provided by the Orphans’ Home from its inception were the orphanage care and higher education assistance. Many children came to the Home at an early age and stayed until they went away to college or out on their own. Capacity was 150 by the late 1960s.

In 1977 UMCH opened its first district office in Augusta to better serve children and families throughout north Georgia. The district office in Dalton opened in 1984, the office in Rome opened in 1996, and the office in Gainesville opened in 2006. The most recent change to the campus was the renovation of Whitehead Hall in 2008 into a 24/7 reception center to accept disadvantaged youth anytime, day or night.

If you are interested in reading more about the history of UMCH, contact the PR department for information about ordering Home Life: A History of the United Methodist Children’s Home.