Berachah Home Collection

The Berachah Home was established in Arlington, Texas, on May 14, 1903, by the Rev. J. T. Upchurch and his wife, Maggie Mae, as the Berachah Industrial Home for the Redemption of Erring Girls. It was operated under various names as an establishment for homeless, usually pregnant girls, in part by the Berachah Society in Dallas as part of the Nazarene Church. The Home closed in 1935, but was reopened later that year by the Upchurch’s daughter, Allie Mae, and her husband, Frank Wiese, as the Berachah Child Institute. The Institute ceased operation in 1942. The University of Texas at Arlington purchased the property in 1963. The collection includes correspondence, legal documents, financial reports, registers, newspaper clippings, and photographs, 1901-1981; The Purity Journal, 1904-1906; The Purity Crusader, 1915-1930 (microfilm); miscellaneous printed material, and typescripts, 1979-1985.

Finding aid available here. Materials provided by Special Collections and Archives at the University of Texas at Arlington.

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Panorama Picture of Berachah Home

Panoramic group photograph taken in front of the Tabernacle. The image hows several unidentified persons, including women, men, and children.
The Purity Crusader, Volume 21. Number 8, November 1924

"The Purity Crusader" published by Berachah Rescue Society in Arlington, Texas. Volume 21, Number 8. A newsletter with articles written from various persons regarding purity and life at Berachah Home. Published in November 1924.
Brother Fering and Brother Upchurch of Berachah Home

Interior of the printing office at Berachah Home. Brother Fering is operating the press. A young boy sits in a corner. Brother Upchurch is standing in the back of the office while an unidentified woman wearing an apron stands on the right side of the image. Printers tools are abundant as is printing paper.
Babies of Berachah Home

A group of babies and toddlers from Berachah Home pose together. An adult woman in the back row is chaperoning them. Behind the group is a grove of small trees.
Sister Maggie Upchurch of Berachah Home

Sister Maggie Upchurch of Berachah Home, Arlington, Texas. Mrs. Upchurch and her husband J. T. (James Tony) Upchurch. The Berachah Home was established on Rescue Hill in Arlington, Texas, on May 14, 1903, by the Rev. J. T. Upchurch and his wife, Maggie Mae, as the Berachah Industrial Home for the Redemption of Erring Girls. It was operated under various names as an establishment for homeless, usually pregnant girls, in part by the Berachah Society in Dallas as part of the Nazarene Church. The Home closed in 1935. Mrs. Upchurch is standing outside and in front of a white building. There is snow on the ground. Mrs. Upchurch is wearing a dark dress and a dark shawl.
A tractor at Berachah Home

A tractor at Berachah Home. A gentleman is driving the tractor, attached to which is a farm implement, perhaps either a plow or a disk. The tractor's wheels have wooden spokes. It isn't clear in this photograph, but the wheels are likely covered in iron instead of rubber.
A car at Berachah Home

An unidentified man driving a car down a lane at Berachah Home. Next to the road is a grove of pecan trees and a group of people are gathering them and putting them into a large bucket. A white building can be partially seen in the distance.
Berachah Home, Arlington, Texas

A group of people outside of Hammill Hall, Berachah Home. Most of the group are women and children. The two story building is of brick construction.
Whitehall Tabernacle at Berachah Home, Arlington, Texas

The Whitehall Tabernacle at Berachah Home, Arlington, Texas. The Tabernacle is a large white wooden open air barn-like building sitting on a hill. There are groups of people standing in front of the Tabernacle and facing the photographer. In the foreground of the photograph is a group of parked automobiles. Among the automobiles are people standing with signs such as "We believe in Barachah Home," and "Hope for the Hopeless, Help for the Helpless."
A Tabernacle meeting at Berachah Home

A Tabernacle meeting at Barachah Home. A crowd of people pose for a photograph inside the tabernacle. The seating is arranged in three sections; only the middle section is used, but it is completely full. Most of the crowd are women and men. There is a large United States flag hanging in the back of the building.
Fourth anniversary of the Berachah Home, Arlington, Texas

The Berachah Home's 4th anniversary featured a large open air tent. This photographs shows an overflow crowd of people sitting inside and outside the tent.
Photograph of women, children and babies of Berachah Home

Photograph of women, children, and babies of Berachah Home. Several of the women are holding booklets in their hands. They are all formally dressed with long sleeved blouses and dresses. The group is posed in front of a piano. On the walls behind the piano are religiously-themes pictures.
Berachah Home dedication service

Berachah Home dedication service in Arlington, Texas. A crowd of people are standing and sitting in front of a large two-story home with columns and a balcony. Someone standing on the porch is giving a speech. The men are mostly dressed in suits and the women in long sleeved blouses and skirts. The label on the image says: "No. 3. Berachah Industrial Home for Redemption and Protection of Erring Girls. Taken during the dedication service, conducted by the Superintendent. The picture only shows a small part of the crowd present and was taken, May 14th, 1903. after the speaker had been addressing the congregation for nearly an hour."
Ledger book for 1921-1923

Register of the Berachah Home, applications of the young women that were admitted and dismised from the home from 1921-1923.
Ledger book for 1924-1926

Register of the applications of young women to the Berachah Home from 1924-1926.
Ledger book for 1921-1923

Register of the Berachah Home, applications of the young women in the home from 1921-1923.
Ledger book for 1917-1920

Register of the Berachah Home from 1917-1920.
Ledger bookfor 1917-1920

Register of the Berachah Home, applications of young women in the home from 1917-1920.
Ledger book for 1905-1911

Register of the Berachah Home from 1905-1911.
Ledger book for 1916-1918

Register of the Berachah Home from 1916-1918.