Welcome to Auxilio Divino Ranch

Drake Auxilio Divino (Auxilio Divino is Latin for ‘with divine help’), is a nonprofit 501(3) organization committed to education, philanthropy, and public service.

A Historical Chapel Restored to Perfection

Auxilio Divino Ranch, “AD Ranch” is owned by Drake Auxilio Divino. The ranch is a picturesque 117-acre property in Waller County, TX. It features a beautifully restored 100-year-old one room church on rolling pastures folding into a wooded reserve towards 3 Mile Creek.

Also present are the ‘solid bones’ of a 15,000 sq ft. retreat center that needs extensive renovation.

AD Ranch is available for use by civic and other nonprofit organizations for free or a modest user fee to cover direct operating expenses.

Youth camps and activities are especially welcome.

Community-Oriented Mission

Well funded organizations are encouraged to participate more substantially to fund the needed improvements and indirect operating expenses. Funds and grants are 100% efficient; there are no administrative costs or expenses. All Drake Auxilio Divino Board Members and other contributors are uncompensated volunteers. Donations including for earmarked projects and improvements will be tracked meticulously. Finances of the organization are open to all interested parties.

Discussions are under way with county and local civic leaders to expand the use of AD Ranch for broader community and public use.

A Perfect Venue for Memorable Moments

Goodwill donations are encouraged for private events such as weddings or others. 100% of proceeds of any donation or user fee will be used for the renovation, improvement, upkeep, and direct expenses of AD Ranch.

The Chapel is available for active congregations on a regular or part time basis. Any faith tradition is welcome to inquire. Those that align with an ecumenical spirit and goodwill to all are welcome to apply. Currently however, there are no bathrooms at the church. The walk to the Retreat Center is approximately 100 yards. The bathrooms there are functional and sanitary, but rough.

The History of AD-Ranch

The present AD-Ranch property has a long history in community service. Most recently, it was the former home of the Kickapoo Ranch and Retreat Center, a private Catholic aligned organization that closed in 2021.

Prior to that it served as a Star of Hope Mission. The property was purchased by the Star of Hope in 1970 and the chapel was donated and fully restored by the by Oldham Little Church Foundation https://www.oldhamlcf.org/the-foundation

Morris Calvin Oldham (1886- 1955) https://www.oldhamlcf.org/history founded the Oldham Little Church Foundation in 1949 to assist small, evangelical Protestant churches with facility completion grants. Starting from humble beginnings, Mr. Oldham became a wealthy Houston Dairyman (Fenix Dairy) and Christian philanthropist. The silhouette of this chapel is the logo for the Oldham Little Church Foundation still today. The Oldham Little Church Foundation remains active in supporting small active Christian churches with grants for repairs and improvements. This has been enabled through the endowment from Mr. Oldham and wise investing by subsequent stewards of the Foundation. Unfortunately, the Oldham Little Church Foundation has not been in a position to contribute financially to the renovations at AD Ranch since there is no active congregation in place; one of their by-law requirements.

The plaque pictured to the right was inside the church and was discovered by Steven and Keri Quance after they purchased the property as an investment in 2022. The last line of the plaque reads, “IN RESTORING THIS CHAPEL YOU HONOR US ALL: OUR LIVING, OUR DEAD AND OUR GENERATIONS YET UNBORN”. Previous thoughts of moving or demolishing the dilapidated Chapel and Retreat Center evaporated. As happens with serendipity and divine nudges, the Quances began to see their ‘investment’ property as an obligation, a stewardship opportunity, a mission for good.

For the next year a tremendous effort was made to clean up (especially by Keri) and protect the property from further degradation. Work was also done to get basic services in order; power, water, sewer. After a year of hard work on the property combined with soul searching- which included failed attempts to donate the property to fit stewards, the Quances decided perhaps it was their calling and responsibility.

The Drake Auxilio Divino Board of Directors was convened to consider an expanded purpose beyond educational scholarships for Drake employees www.drakeplastics.com The new purpose- if Board approved, would include property ownership and management, with the intent of broad public use and enjoyment. After discussion, the Board (A. Clark Maysonet, G. Gardner CPA., D. Burleigh, J. Quance-Fitch, K. Quance, S. Quance) voted unanimously during their May 2023 Board Meeting to accept the property donation. Although the donation was made from the estate of Steven & Keri Quance, recognition is due to all Drake employees but also to Drake suppliers and customers. Without them, this would not have been possible.

Below are a list of functions and activities that are contemplated at AD Ranch:

Active church congregation(s)

County Meetings & Training

Community Events & Training

Church Camps/ VBS

Youth Camps

Scout Camps

Company Events & Training

Holiday Parties

Family Reunions

Banquets

Weddings

Fundraisers

Home Schools

FFA

Farmer’s Market

Sports Fields

Hiking/ Biking Trails

Nature Preserve

Animal and Bird Watching

Fishing

We look forward to the AD Ranch continuing the long tradition of being a blessing in our community- now and for generations to come. We look forward to hearing of your wants and needs- and how your vision can come to fruition with cooperation, collaboration, and of course, divine help and inspiration.

Stewardship Opportunities:

AD Ranch capital project needs and preliminary budget:

Bathroom structure at Chapel

Paved Parking area at Chapel, 36 species, concrete sidewalk

Entrance Gate and Signage

Driveway paving, 2 way entrance at Kickapoo to chapel parking

Retreat center 2 front bathroom floor to ceiling remodels

Retreat center complete remodel with 12-20 suites & updated elevation

$TBD

$46,000

$18,000

$45,000

$22,000

$1.5- 2.5MM

AD Ranch volunteer maintenance and upkeep needs:

Mowing
Gardening
Fence maintenance and repair
Trash and debris pick up including along roadways
Sweeping, Cleaning
Painting
Trail clearing

Contact: Gracie Garza for volunteer opportunities and all other inquiries.
Gracie@drakeplastics.com