Culpeper Baptist Home: Next year is its 60th anniversary

On March 4, 1949, Virginia Baptist leaders gathered in Culpeper to break ground for a brand new Virginia Baptist Home on U.S. 15. Some of the featured speakers (top) from left, included: Miss Douglas Oliver, the Rev. Nelson Barker, the Rev. J.R. Johnson and the Rev. C.C. Thomas.

Former Culpeper Baptist Church pastor John Thomas Edwards founded and operated the Virginia Baptist Home, originally at 609 N. Main St. in a building constructed 1945. Virginia Baptist Home was later changed to Culpeper Baptist Retirement Community, the first of four retirement communities established by Edwards.

Today, CBRC occupies a large campus with stunning mountain views to the west. The facility provides a range of residential options such as apartments and cottages as well as on-site assisted living and nursing residences for senior citizens. Amenities for its active senior population include a fitness center, game and computer room, library, walking paths, clinic, therapy services and more.

The folks in a new picture, taken last month on the grounds of the retirement community, look happy and right at home. Seated at front, from left, are residents Edna Earle Nicholls and Martha Sutherland; in back are resident Charles Nicholls, CBRC director Josh Lyons, and residents Gordon
Willis and Rawley Coleman.