The Anna Spafford Baby Home was a charitable institution in Jerusalem dedicated to caring for abandoned, orphaned, and vulnerable infants. The home grew out of the humanitarian work of the American Colony, a well-known Christian communal society in the city (see The Unusual Origins of an Iconic East Jerusalem Hotel).
Anna Spafford, an American woman who had endured personal tragedy, arrived in Jerusalem in the late 19th century seeking a life devoted to Christian service. Anna’s quiet mission led to the expansion of the American Colony.
Anna’s daughter, Bertha Spafford Vester, established the baby home in 1925 during the Colonial British Mandate period. It was located in Jerusalem’s Old City, an intentional choice that made it accessible to some of the city’s poorest families. The home provided shelter and protection for infants who had been abandoned, orphaned, or whose families were unable to care for them due to poverty, illness, or social stigma. Children were accepted regardless of religion, nationality, or background—Muslim, Christian, and Jewish infants were all welcomed and cared for.1
What began as a small refuge for abandoned babies became a legacy of care. Today, it is no longer a home for infants but instead, it provides psychological, cultural, and supportive services for children and families in need (see Spafford Children’s Center: A Place of Safety and Healing for Jerusalem Children for Almost a Century).
The story of the Anna Spafford Baby Home has been a testimony to Jerusalem’s hardships, its humanity, and the enduring power of mercy that the Jerusalem community offers without condition.