Miracle Hill History - “The Extended Vision”

The forefathers of the Florida Primitive Baptist Convention, which has been in existence for 104 years, proved to be people of vision, productivity and development as they bought a vast amount of land in the Springfield Community. Their intention for investment in the land was to build a school for their community’s educational development. This dream soon became a reality as the Griffin Normal College was built in 1908. The school was a junior college and boarding school for students. In 1936, the school was renamed Griffin High School. The school included grades 1-12 until 1955 when the present Griffin Middle School was opened.

The vision continued to extend in later years under the leadership of Elder M.G. Miles, who was President of the Florida Primitive Baptist Convention (1963-1993). In his first address as President, Elder Miles listed the building of a nursing home as priority project due to its invaluable need in the community. In his address he stated, “If our forefathers with their hard work, suffering and sacrifice had vision enough to buy land and operate a college for blacks, we should keep the land and continue to develop it.” This was the beginning of Miracle Hill Nursing and Convalescent Center in the hearts and minds of the people of the convention.

Several years passed as the convention worked diligently and saved in its attempt to build a sixty-bed nursing home facility. Finally, in the year 1968 the nursing home project was started. The dream had become a reality.

During the next year the planning stages for opening were started. Application form, patient care policies and other plans were completed. Finally the wonderful day came on September 18, 1969 when Miracle Hill Nursing and Convalescent Center was dedicated and officially opened.

Today the Miracle Hill Nursing and Convalescent Center continues under the direction of Deacon Freddie L. Franklin, Nursing Home Administrator (1978-Present). Under his leadership and support of dedicated staff, Miracle Hill has developed into one of the highest superior rated facilities in the State of Florida. Mr. Franklin during his tenure has trained six licensed administrators who have worked under his supervision. They are:

Connie Bend, Former Administrator, Park Ridge Nursing and Rehab Center, Jacksonville, Florida
Linda Blackshear-Administrator of Riverchase Care Center, Quincy Florida
Dwayne Harvey, Executive Director of Innovative Health Care
Donna Maxwell Harvey
Margaret Collins, Assistant Administrator of Miracle Hill Nursing and Convalescent Ctr.
Tommy Daymond, Activities Director Miracle Hill

This practice of training persons to be extraordinary leaders in the field of health care has helped to spread Miracle Hill’s philosophy of quality service with a commitment to excellence to other facilities and communities at large.

In 1993 the vision extended as the Elder Ernest Ferrell, President of the Florida State Primitive Baptist Convention (1993-2002) was elected after Miles’ 32 years of service. With a hope to redirect economic growth in the development of the community, Elder Ferrell’s main goal on his agenda was to increase the number of beds from sixty to one hundred-twenty. Through hard work and faith in God, Miracle Hill was approved by the State Agency for Health Care Administration for additional beds, enabling us to meet the needs of those who are in need of quality health care services in a nursing home facility.

In 2002, Elder Edward Buckner, was elected as President of the Florida State Primitive Baptist Convention (2002-2009. Having served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Miracle Hill (1993-2002), Elder Buckner experienced the realization for the great demand for quality health care and supervision for our elderly and convalescent citizens. Under Elder Buckner’s leadership, Miracle Village, a 45 unit independent living facility was constructed. Elder Buckner led with the vision that other facilities of this magnitude will be built in other areas across the state of Florida.

In 2009 Elder Franklin R. Rush was elected as President of the Florida State Primitive Baptist Convention, to continue the legacy of this great organization. With this testimony and faith that God is leading us, we continue our mission of productivity and development that our forefathers gave us. Let us continue to thank God for our glorious past and our ever- brightening future.