Special Recognition
A Faithful Servant and a Deserving Reward
Miss Celestia Churchill
E ver since she came to Los An geles, nearly half a century ago, Celestia Churchill has had a burden for homeless girls. Bom in 1885 in South Dakota, she moved with her family to Minne sota a few years later. Her work following school was teaching in North and South Dakota before attending the Bible Institute of Los Angeles. She was graduated from Biola in 1917. During her study for the Lord's work, she volunteered for Christian service wherever the Lord might lead. God’s call seemed to be rural mis sionary work in the mountains of Kentucky so she began a six- months’ course in obstetrics at Crittenden Home in Los Angeles. Homeless girls continued to weigh heavily upon her mind. So many were moving to the area who had no place to stay. One day a girl in need, Harriet Ransom, stopped at the office of Biola where Miss Churchill was work ing. She wanted to know if there was any possibility o f securing a room. This was the very begin ning of a work God has blessed for more than half a century. It soon blossomed out into the Mary Martha Home. When it was apparent that ex pansion was impossible at Biola, a small home was rented in High
need over her forty-five years of faithful ministry. At least two thousand homeless girls received help and s p ir itu a l counsel through the years. Their ages ranged from fifteen to twenty- five. Many, of course, came from broken homes. As a result of the ministry, many of them came to know Jesus Christ as personal Saviour. Because o f her failing health, recently it was necessary for Miss Churchill to retire from her life long love and work: helping oth ers in need. She is now residing at the Hollenbeck Home in Los An geles, not too far from the head quarters of her former work. When the property was sold, Miss Churchill wanted to see that at least a part o f it be used for the preparation of young men and women at her alma mater, Biola. We thank God for this faithful servant who was honored recent ly by the City of Los Angeles for her signal service rendered on be half of the community and Christ her Saviour. Miss Churchill is pictured above in the garden at Hollenbeck Home holding the citation which was given to her at a special lunch eon at which time Councilman Gilbert Lindsay made the presen tation. EE
land Park. This was used for a year or more. Transportation, however, proved to be a problem and the women began praying for a home closer to downtown Los Angeles. One was finally located at the comer of Chicago and Michigan in the Boyle Heights district. It was owned by a Jew ish man by the name of Abra- hamovitz. He was moved by the purpose Miss Churchill had in mind and the facility was rented. Even with the newer home, so many calls for help came it was apparent more permament steps would have to be taken. Miss Mary Walthers, a former mis sionary to China, had saved a hundred dollars from her meager income. This she offered as a part o f the down payment on the much-needed larger home. Other gifts came in, including a thou sand dollars. Soon there was enough to begin the purchase of a large twenty-room house located at 632 Brittania Street. As the years progressed and the work increased, three addi tional buildings had to be added. Every need was met through prayer, such as the obtaining o f a new roof, general repairs, plumb ing, and maintenance. Miss Churchill testifies to the fact that money came in for every
THE KING'S BUSINESS
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