Breckenridge Village of Tyler

Breckenridge Village of Tyler began as a response by the Human Welfare Coordinating Board of the Baptist General Convention of Texas to an appeal by a pastor for the need of a residential care facility for persons with mental disabilities. In his 1992 address to the Board, Rev. Aldridge indicated that this concept had been discussed for several years by parents of disabled children at an annual Special Friends Retreat held at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Encampment. Their common concern was for the future welfare of their children beyond the point of the parents’ death or functional capacity to personally provide for all their children’s needs. Further, the parents hoped for a facility that would come under the auspices of Texas Baptists, and that would provide the spiritual nurture they valued.

As a result of this request, the Human Welfare Coordinating Board voted to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study. In addition to a meticulous client-needs assessment, surveys were conducted of facilities recognized as clearly distinguished above others in the areas of their quality of care and superiority of facility design. Site visits were conducted at seven of the premiere programs in the country including The Brookwood Community near Houston, Baddour Memorial Center in Mississippi, The Center for the Retarded in Houston, River Willow Farms near Houston, Aldersgate in Brownwood, the Georgia Baptist Convention’s group home facilities and the Tennessee Baptist Adult Homes in Tennessee.

Roughly concurrent with these events was a gift of 78 acres of property from Mrs. Jean Breckenridge in Tyler, Texas. Like so many other aging individuals caring for children with impairments, Mrs. Breckenridge was concerned for the future care and well being of her son Jimmy.

In 1998, the unified vision of the Baptist General Convention of Texas and Mrs. Breckenridge for a campus for adults with mental disabilities became a reality. Baptist Child & Family Services was commissioned with operational responsibility for the project, which led to the creation of a new controlled entity and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Breckenridge Village of Tyler.