Rest Cottage, Pilot Point (Tex.).

Rest Cottage was founded in 1903 by Rev. and Mrs. J. P. Roberts in Pilot Point, Texas. As a compassion ministry associated with the Holiness movement and later the Church of the Nazarene, it was established as a home for unmarried mothers and child placement agency. Rest Cottage grew from its original site on six acres of land to incorporate 31 acres by 1953, with an additional 40 acres of pastureland for grazing dairy cows. Facilities included a laundry, fruit house, chapel, barns, and vegetable garden. Residents had private rooms within the main house. While most of the medical needs of the residents were addressed at nearby Flow Memorial Hospital, the facilities included an on-site medical unit with delivery room, nursery, and convalescent ward. Rest Cottage was licensed as an adoption agency through the Texas Department of Public Welfare, and all prospective parents were screened by Rev. and Mrs. Roberts according to guidelines that emphasized the evangelical Christian perspective of the home. Rest Cottage served thousands of "erring" girls through 1975, at which time it was closed and much of its land was deeded to Bethany Nazarene College (now Southern Nazarene University) in Bethany, Oklahoma. Adoption records were sealed and deposited with the State of Texas.

From the description of Rest Cottage records, 1901-1986, bulk (1903-1975). (University of Texas at Arlington). WorldCat record id: 743743964

Rest Cottage was founded in Pilot Point, Texas, in 1903 by Rev. J. P. Roberts and his wife as a maternity home and child placement agency to provide rehabilitation and shelter to the unmarried mother, offering her a safe environment in which to have her child. 1 Members of the Holiness Church (today known as the International Pentecostal Holiness Church) formed the organization to address what was viewed as a chronic problem in America, the issue of pregnancy outside of wedlock. In 1908, the Holiness Church and the Pentecostal Nazarene Church merged, and from that point on Rest Cottage was associated with the Nazarene Church.

Rest Cottage was established on six acres of land at Pilot Point, Texas, and grew to incorporate 31 acres by 1953, with an additional 40 acres of pastureland for grazing dairy cows. Facilities included a laundry, fruit house, chapel, barns, and vegetable garden. Residents had private rooms within the main house. While most of the medical needs of the residents were addressed at nearby Flow Memorial Hospital, the facilities included an on-site medical unit with delivery room, nursery, and convalescent ward. 2 Rest Cottage was licensed as an adoption agency through the Texas Department of Public Welfare, and all prospective parents were screened by Rev. and Mrs. Roberts according to guidelines that emphasized the evangelical Christian perspective of the home.

Residents were expected to participate in the spiritual life of the campus; church services, times of prayer, and Bible study were mandatory. Women were not required to pay, but payment was accepted from those with the financial means to contribute a small fee. 3 Because Rest Cottage was incorporated as a charitable organization holding tax exempt status, donations were solicited: [i]t is financed by offerings, donations, gifts, per diem expense, and adoption fees.... The Home has a foundation to which, it hopes, gifts, properties and wills will be forthcoming. Like any similar agency Rest Cottage needs a sponsor, buildings, new staff members, equipment, etc. 4

J. P. Roberts served as the superintendent of Rest Cottage until his death in 1937. His brother and sister-in-law, John F. and Grace Roberts, succeeded him and served until their retirement in 1955. Their son, Geren C. Roberts, was elected to the superintendency, and by 1958, Rest Cottage had served more than 6,000 women from every state in the union. 5 Rest Cottage remained in operation until 1975, at which time the last staff members were released from their duties, and the property was deeded to Bethany Nazarene College (now Southern Nazarene University) in Bethany, Oklahoma. Adoption records were sealed and deposited with the state of Texas.

SOURCES:

From the guide to the Rest Cottage Records AR530., 1901-1986, 1903-1975, (Special Collections, The University of Texas at Arlington Library)