Franklin House
The Franklin House Project Story
Louise Franklin and her family have a distinguished history of positive impact in the Eatonville and Maitland communities. From her faithful service as a member of St. Lawrence African Methodist Episcopal Church, established in 1881, to annually conducting historic tours of the Eatonville area during Zora Neale Hurston festivals, the Franklin family has made a positive difference in the lives of those living in and visiting the surrounding communities.
From the home which her parents, Larkin and Effie Franklin, built on the property in 1923, six children were raised. The family graciously hosted church picnics on Sunday afternoons on the large property, inviting those from various denominations to enjoy the shady oaks and watching them perform baptisms in nearby Lake Sybelia. Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts frequently visited the site on camping trips. Louise and her twin sister, Lillian, started school early and graduated from Edgewater High School at the age of fifteen. Lillian passed on years ago and Louise opened her home to her niece, Monica, and grandnephew Edwin (14), who both live with her in the current home. Louise's only child, her son Kelvan, proudly served our country as a Marine from 1977-1999. Kelvan currently serves as a City Councilman for the city of Eatonville.
Disaster struck the Franklin home last summer when three hurricanes wrecked havoc on the old home. When part of the original 82-year-old tin roof ripped off in the latest hurricane, rain poured into the living room and one of the bedrooms, taking down large parts of the ceiling. Even with a tarp in place, the roof still leaks in several places around the house when it rains. Living conditions inside the house are poor, to put it mildly. When Orangewood attempted to obtain a building permit to repair the roof, we discovered that the home was virtually incapable of being brought up to code.
Faced with the horrific alternatives of either allowing it rain in her house for the rest of her life or tearing the house down, Orangewood has decided to build Louise Franklin a new house. Although she has many good memories of life in the old home, she realizes that the house is no longer a safe place to live. The family has given the green light to building a small, yet charming, 3/2 home on the current site.
Orangewood is committed to honoring the Biblical mandate to help others by helping Louise Franklin and her family. Her son Kelvan and grandnephew Edwin are anxious to help. Edwin has helped to build three Habitat for Humanity homes within view of their current home. Unfortunately, the Franklin's do not qualify for a Habitat home because of the required "sweat equity" and ability to pay the mortgage. Now Edwin will have the thrill of working on his own home. We are doing this to lift high the name of Jesus and to bring glory to Him. We believe that in this way we are living out the Orangewood vision of "building community to reach our community." In her own words, Louise Franklin has said about the project, "I am most excited and thankful! It is so appreciated and I feel blessed." To God alone be the glory!
