FBFS dedicates missionary house, seeks to expand Vero Beach campus

Jul 15, 2003

VERO BEACH (FBW)–The Florida Baptist Retirement Center in Vero Beach held a celebration luncheon for the renovation of the newly named Buckingham Cottage June 19. The home will serve as a residence for Southern Baptist missionaries on stateside assignment.

Buckingham family members joined campus residents, local pastors and Florida Baptist Financial Services trustees to re-name the home. The center’s administrator, Greg Warnick, said the home reflected the "heritage" of the Retirement Center.

FBFS photo

"Buckingham Cottage" on the campus of the Florida Baptist Retirement Center in Vero Beach, will serve as a residence for Southern Baptist missionaries on stateside assignment.

"Naming it in honor of the Buckingham family in their presence was not only special, but the right thing to do," Warnick said, according to a press release from FBFS.

Harvey Webb, director of missions for the Treasure Coast Baptist Association, gave a prayer of dedication at the event.

"It is exciting to see the wonderful work of the Retirement Center staff and the church volunteers," Webb said. "I know that is pleasing to the Lord when His people work in unity for His purposes."

The cottage was built in the early 1930’s by Walter and Elvira Buckingham, who would later deed their homestead for the development of the Retirement Center.

In its early years, the cottage was used primarily as guest house for Buckingham family members and a residence for Baptist missionaries. In recent years, because of its deteriorating condition, it was used for storage.

Staff leadership recently expressed a desire to bring the cottage back to exclusively serve as a home for missionaries on stateside assignment.

Eddie McClelland, president of Florida Baptist Financial Services, speaks at the dedication.

"We felt it would be appropriate to bring this residence back to what it was originally designed," said Eddie McClelland, president of Florida Baptist Financial Services and Florida Baptist Retirement Center. "It is also a wonderful avenue in which we can support those who vocationally have committed their lives to the mission field."

For nearly four months, Center staff and volunteers from various churches in the Treasure Coast Baptist Association worked together on this project. Local church volunteers provided nearly all of the exterior painting. Other renovations included new carpet and vinyl, interior painting, kitchen countertops and appliances, and a central heat and air conditioning system. All of the furniture was provided by the Retirement Center.

Missionaries who live in the cottage will pay a small monthly fee that will primarily cover utility costs. The Center has created a Buckingham Cottage Fund to cover all other expenses. Those who wish to give to this fund may do so by designating gifts to the Florida Baptist Retirement Center, Buckingham Cottage.

McClelland said the Retirement Center, in existence since 1960, has provided "a wonderful ministry" for Florida Baptists, but believes the timing is right for an expansion at the Vero Beach campus.

"The future has arrived, and we have a tremendous need and obligation to fulfill for our seniors who have long carried the support of Baptist work in our state," said McClelland. "We will soon be sharing our new vision for this ministry with Florida Baptists."

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