| The Coleman Welfare League (founded in 1924)
built Holiday Hill Nursing Home for needy people in 1950. It was
a red brick building in north Coleman. However, in November 1977,
due to government regulation, the Home built a new building and moved west
of the city of Coleman; and so, the old red brick building at 218 Lackland
Street was abandoned. This building was to become an integral part
of a group of wonderful people and to be led by two special people, Bro.
Paul and Anita Smith, who had moved back to their home town of Coleman
to enjoy retirement in the fall of 1978. However, this was short
lived, as a group of folk approached Bro. Paul, who is an ordained minister,
to start a Bible study in his home. Within a few weeks, the group
had out-grown the house, so, they rented a small building on Commercial
Avenue. Again, within a few weeks, the building would not seat the
group ... but where could they go now? One evening, Bro. Paul was
visiting, and ‘happened’ to drive by the old Holiday Hill building and
a vision, or dream, was stirred in his heart. The board of directors
of Holiday Hill were approached and soon the old home was in use once again.
On December 17th, 1978, the group organized themselves
as a church and named it Coleman Community Baptist Church. This wonderful
group of people began to donate money, time and hard work to clean and
renovate the property. The outside has not changed in looks, except
to be more beautiful with a new lawn, greenery and flowers. The south
wing of the building was made into the sanctuary for the church, with beautiful
red carpet and red velvet drapes. The church started out with 73
charter members; however, it has grown to approximately 100 - 125 families.
The kitchen and dining area are the same, except
for new flooring and paneling. The northwest wing has become the
home of Bro. Paul and Anita. It is a lovely three-bedroom apartment. The
northeast wing is now the Children’s Christian Day-Care, open five days
a week and has an enrollment of approximately 75 children. North
of the building are three play areas for the children. On the property
east of the main building, a new parking lot has been finished and a Christian
Book Store is being started and should be finished by early 1984.
Coleman Community Baptist Church and Childrens
Christian Day-Care is one of the loveliest pieces of property in Coleman.
It is tended by tender, loving hearts and hands and the folk still donate
hours of labor to keep it so.
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