Home Again
The Mann Family Homestead, a quaint cottage built in the 1920’s, is nestled in a beautiful valley just north of Birmingham. For years this house was a home full of love, laughter, and happy family memories as Jesse and Leola Mann raised their three children, Bobbie, Shirlene, and Marvin. As grandchildren arrived, the home was a highly anticipated destination for horseback riding, fishing, and cookouts. In 2019, when the Mann family discovered that the house had suffered a decade or two of neglect, it was repurchased by the family and lovingly restored and gifted to our ministry in order to bless generations to come.
A Vision for More
The path to restoration began when the family discovered the beautiful, leather-bound, original deed to the property which traced the history of the land from the 1800’s. That discovery led to a Sunday afternoon drive to see the property. Unfortunately, the house had fallen into great disrepair and appeared to be abandoned. As heartbreaking as that was, the setting was still beautiful and the memories of summers spent on the porch or riding horses all came flooding back.
The Mann home when it was repurchased by the family and before renovations.
As Lori Whitcomb, the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mann, and her husband, Mike, looked at the property, they both felt the Lord prompting them to imagine what the property could be. It had once been such a source of happiness and peace—could it be once again? They wondered with the accompanying nine acres, pond, and the house fully restored, could it possibly be used by ABCH for their foster care program?
Making It Happen
Mike called his friend Paul Huckeba, an ABCH board member, and asked if he thought the ministry might be interested. Paul and ABCH Chief Administrative Officer Chip Colee met the family at the property and listened to the vision. They went back and discussed the possibilities with the ABCH team, and it was decided that the property could fill a need as a respite home for foster and house parents to use on their off days. With that acknowledgement of need, the family was off and running on the path to restoration.
Lori’s parents, Bob and Shirlene Mann Bruce, were in on the vision from the beginning and were very excited about restoring their family’s homestead. They quickly planned a meeting with brother Marvin Mann, who lives in North Carolina, to see if he might be interested in providing the financial resources for the project.
He was dismayed to see the condition of the home and liked the idea of restoring it so that it might continue to bless others, as it had blessed him and his siblings. Unfortunately, sister Bobbie Mann Naish had passed away the previous year, but the family knew she would have been thrilled with the project, sharing that she would have been tickled to know that some of her home’s furniture was used in the completed project.
A Fresh Face
Over the next year, the project slowly began to take shape. The deterioration of the home was much more extensive than anticipated, but the family was committed to getting it done and doing it right. The pond was restored and stocked for future fishing expeditions, the detached garage completely torn down and rebuilt, the deteriorating driveway removed and replaced, the house completely restored down to the studs, new landscaping material and a sprinkler system installed, a fence built to provide security for the pond, and once finished, it was completely furnished!
The living room before renovations
The living room after renovations
There were a couple of Serve workdays where employees from Brookstone Restoration, Mike and Lori’s business, and some ABCH staff members joined forces to do demolition and later landscaping. In the end, everyone was blown away with the results!
Elise Vincent, Director of Social Services in Birmingham says, “The timing of this beautiful gift was delicately laid out by God. I watched it go from an idea to ‘WOW! This is really happening.’ I see many retreats, picnics, fishing days, and meaningful conversations taking place here in the future, and I am so thankful ABCH gets to continue the legacy of this property.”
While the intent of the Mann home has always been to bless children and families in need, the functional vision has taken shape, with the blessing of this sweet family, based on our current needs. At this time, the home can be used by our Family Care managers during their off time, foster children’s outings, ABCH team meeting days, and as a respite home for our foster and house parents to enjoy on a weekend.
One of the bathrooms before renovations.
One of the bathrooms after renovations.
Leaving a Legacy
During the process, members of the Mann family were able to visit some of the ABCH campuses. With each visit, they became more certain of the path the Lord was laying before them. Lori said, “We could tell the ministry did things with excellence. All of the people we met at the campuses were so loving and sincere, the presence of Jesus was very evident in their lives. We were overwhelmed with the quality of care that ABCH gives to the children. They literally treat them as if they were their own, even providing braces and college educations, as needed. But most importantly, they were sharing Jesus with them every step of the way. We decided that connecting with this ministry was the best way for us to multiply our small gift.”
Siblings Marvin Mann and Shirlene Mann Bruce with photos of their parents and sister at the home dedication.
The Mann family’s prayer is that from this day forward, this home will be intentionally used to honor God, to support and encourage others in their pursuit of an abundant life, and to offer a peaceful respite from the challenges of daily life. The family is grateful for Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes mission to share God’s love with hurting children and families and are honored that this home can play a small part in that.
“My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.”
