Recently, Christian City honored two well-known Fayette County figures by naming the Christian City Welcome Center, “The Dr. Byron and Rose Marie Harper Welcome Center.”
Family and friends gathered for a dedication, reception and unveiling of a fountain commemorating their “vision of Christian City, their commitment to sustain it, and their faithfulness to serving.”
Dr. Harper died several years ago, but his wife Rose Marie currently resides in Fayette County and is still an active member of the Christian City Board of Trustees. Mrs. Harper served on the Fayette County Commission in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
It was nearly 50 years ago that Dr. Byron Harper, his wife Rose Marie, and several others sat down to begin the first planning stages of what would become Christian City.
Recognizing a need for a place for kids who did not have a safe place to live, the Harpers donated the first 50 acres of land to open Christian City, a home for abandoned and abused children. The first cottage was opened on Valentine’s Day, 1965.
That initial gift of love has now evolved into a bustling 500-acre campus with over 1,000 residents. Located in Union City, Christian City is a conglomeration of nine not-for-profit organizations serving homeless children, active seniors living in patio homes, and a full continuum of care for aging seniors, including assisted living, nursing and rehabilitation, and in home care.
Christian City is recognized throughout the community as a great place to live and work. To learn more about Christian City or The Children’s Village, visit www.christiancity.org or call 770-703-2636.
