Homes for children  ......... Help for families

A brief history

Maude Carpenter was a teacher by profession, who had no children of her own. Following the death of her husband, a banker in Protection, Kansas, Maude moved to Wichita and spread her love to children whose families had been touched by tragedy, pain, and hardship. She made a major financial commitment to help build the first building on the newly purchased site for the children's home program that now honors her name. She was active with children until her death, leaving a trust through her estate the continues to fund activities at MCCH.

The Maude Carpenter Children's Home began as an act of benevolence in 1943 by Riverside Church of Christ in downtown Wichita, Kansas. Though that particular congregation no longer exists, the agency remains associated and supported by the Churches of Christ.

State incorporation was secured in 1946 and land was purchased at 13th and Meridian in Wichita. Churches of Christ and interested individuals (particularly Maude Carpenter) gave funds for construction of the first building on the old farm. Some children were available for adoption in those years, but many had the same life stories as children who come to us today -- parents who are addicted or neglectful, parents who deserted the family, aging grandparents who can no longer act as surrogate.  Today we have a great interest in working with the whole family to help the child return to a healthier environment.  

One of the great blessings of working at MCCH is meeting former residents who come by and share their memories of living here. In fact, the first family of children who received help were the eight Baldridge children. Bobby and his wife live in Terre Haute, Indiana, and stay in touch with MCCH.