Evolution of God's Work

The beginning of Barium Springs Children's Home was way back in 1883, by two  
Presbyterian women in Charlotte, North Carolina who took in two orphaned children. As the need outgrew the space, the Presbyterian Synod purchased land from Davidson College at Barium Springs, North Carolina, world famous for it’s healing waters.

From then until the late 1940s the children in the home were orphaned by family sickness, or war losses.

J.B. Johnston was the superintendent of the home from 1922 until 1949. With his guidance, the children worked the land and supplied 85% of the homes food needs. They had a large farm, their own orchards,  a fully functioning dairy, laundry, sewing room. print shop. and shoe repair shop. The children of the home were taught all of these trades, making the home almost entirely self-sufficient.

Schooling was done on campus, until the late 1950s when the high school students started attending public school in nearby Troutman.  By 1960 all students were attending public school.

In 1969 services of the Home expanded to include high quality day care for working parents in the surrounding community, and a group home setting was provided.

Later Barium reached out to troubled middle and high school aged children by starting an alternative educational program for children who were unable to succeed in a traditional classroom setting.

The love and Christian care that these children and their families receive from the devoted staff at Barium is an awesome sight to behold.

Everyone involved with Barium Springs, the children, their families, the staff, and the volunteers, are treated with respect, dignity, and given a wholesome opportunity to be all that they can be.

If you are looking for a truly worth while place to share in God’s work, visit their web site  http://www.bariumsprings.org, and reach out .