Baptist Gardens History
Our Misssion
Faithfully striving to plan, construct, operate, maintain, and improve rental housing and related facilities as well as services for Affordable Housing (HUD) projects with honesty and integrity.
Baptist Gardens History
In September 1959, Pastor Kepner (of 1st Baptist Church of Long Beach) was conducting meetings in Denver, Colorado, when he was invited by Broadway Baptist Church to tour a newly constructed senior apartment complex. Impressed by the thoughtfully designed facility, he later invited the architect-developer to meet with the Board of Trustees at First Baptist Church of Long Beach. That evening, the Board discussed the possibility of creating a similar project in Long Beach for senior adults. Although it was determined not feasible at the time, the idea took root and planted the vision for what would one day become Baptist Gardens. On April 29, 1970, after several preliminary efforts, the church officially voted to authorize the Board of Trustees to move forward with the necessary steps to establish Baptist Gardens. The church also voted to incorporate the project as its own non-profit organization. During this era there were sixteen organizations, like Baptist Gardens, that were the genesis for the Senior Housing/Affordable Housing that began with HUD.
These are the original officers and board members were chosen; these included:
- Paul Larson, President
- Myron Eddy, Vice President
- Marie Stevenson, Secretary
- James Sharp, Assistant Secretary
- Robert Cavin, Board Member
- Lloyd Vaughn, Board Member
- James Willingham, Board Member
- W.F. McPheeters, Board Member
- E. William George, Board Member
Growth and Legacy
Since its inception, Baptist Gardens has provided safe, well-maintained housing and support for thousands of seniors in Long Beach. After serving the community for decades, we were presented with an opportunity for change through a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development program, which offered incentives to transfer properties like ours. Ownership was entrusted to the management company that had been with us from the very beginning—an organization our project helped launch. Confident in their ability to continue caring for residents, we transitioned stewardship to them while expanding Baptist Gardens’ mission. Today, Baptist Gardens continues to serve by investing in senior housing, dialysis clinics, and hospitals. Proceeds not only sustain these properties but also support other non-profit organizations focused on health, education, and community well-being. We remain committed to seeing how the Lord will use Baptist Gardens to make meaningful advancements for generations to come.
