Welcome to Auxilio Divino Ranch
Drake Auxilio Divino (With Divine Help) is a nonprofit 501©3 organization committed to education, philanthropy, and public service.
In the heart of Hockley, TX sits a 120 acre property with a beautifully restored 100 year old single room chapel and a yet unrestored 15,000sq ft. activity center that formerly served as a Star of Hope center. After the last renovation of the chapel in 1971, a commemorative plaque was hung that read, “In restoring this chapel you honor us all: our living, our dead, and our generation’s yet unborn.” It is this plaque, that made it apparent that this property has a higher calling. Auxilio Divino is Latin for “with Divine Help”, which seemed a fitting name for AD Ranch that has now been donated into a 501(c)3.
AD-Ranch is the physical presence of Drake Auxilio Divino.
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.
How AD-Ranch Serves Our Community
Civic and other non-profit organizations are welcome to utilize the AD-Ranch property and facilities at no charge, or for a modest fee to cover expenses related to their activity. Youth camps and other youth-group functions are especially welcome.
The Chapel is available for active congregations on a regularly scheduled basis, or when appropriate occasions arise. All faith traditions that embrace an ecumenical spirit and goodwill to all are welcome and encouraged to inquire about utilizing the Chapel at AD-Ranch.
AD-Ranch is also available for private events. The Chapel is an excellent venue for weddings, for example. 100% of donations and fees associated with private activities will also be used exclusively for the renovation, improvement, upkeep, and direct expenses of AD-Ranch.
Currently, those planning to utilize the Chapel are advised that the building lacks bathrooms. An improvement project to build adjacent washrooms has been planned. It is awaiting funding to finalize the design, permit and build. In the interim, bathrooms are available at the Retreat Center, approximately 100 yards away. While rustic, they are functional and sanitary.
To extend the potential benefits of AD-Ranch, discussions are underway with county and local civic leaders to explore ways to work together to best serve the needs of the community, organizations, and the public.
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.
Partnering with AD-Ranch
Organizations and individuals are encouraged to support AD-Ranch in its quest to serve others in a meaningful and tangible way.
Substantial funding is needed for facilities upgrades and direct operating expenses. Specific stewardship opportunities for priority improvements are also available and listed in the last section of this communication.
Donors will appreciate that all funds and grants received by AD-Ranch are utilized with 100% efficiency: there are no administrative costs or expenses for administration. All Drake Auxilio Divino board members and others who dedicate their time to AD-Ranch are uncompensated volunteers. Contributions including those earmarked by donors and grantors for specific projects and improvements will be tracked meticulously, and the organization’s financial records are and will be open to all interested parties. Naming recognition is also available.
The History of AD-Ranch
The AD-Ranch property has a long history of community service. Most recently, it was the 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 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. The silhouette of the chapel on the AD-Ranch property is still used as the Oldham Little Church Foundation’s logo today.
Morris Calvin Oldham (1886- 1955) https://www.oldhamlcf.org/history established 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 Oldham Little Church Foundation continues to support small active Christian churches with grants for repairs and improvements. Their good work is funded by Mr. Oldham’s endowment 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 because there is no active congregation in place, as their by-laws require.
An Opportunity in Transition
Steven and Keri Quance discovered the plaque (on the right) inside the church 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”.
Upon reading that text, the Quances’ early thoughts of moving or demolishing the dilapidated Chapel and Retreat Center to make the property more valuable as an investment soon evaporated. As happens with serendipity and divine nudges, the couple began to see their ‘investment’ transition to a stewardship opportunity and obligation to utilize the property on 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 for the property to include wide-ranging 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.
Waller County and far NW Harris County lack parks and public meeting spaces. AD-Ranch is well placed to serve the unmet needs of this community.
Below are some of the activities that are envisioned for AD-Ranch:
Available Now:
Active church congregation(s)
(willing to use remote washrooms temporarily)
Wedding and other ceremonies
Farmer’s Market
Scout / Adventure Guide Camps
(no hunting)
Nature Preserve, Animal and Bird Watching
Fishing
Picnics
Photography
Hiking/ Biking Trails
Future Uses following renovations and upgrades:
County Meetings & Training
Fundraisers / Gala’s/ Holiday Parties
Outdoor concerts and festivals
Home Schools
FFA events
Sports Fields
Soccer, Baseball, Cricket, Football, etc.
Sport Courts
Pickle Ball, Tennis, Basketball
Community Events & Training
Church Camps / Retreats / VBS
Youth Camps
Company Events & Training
Holiday Parties
Family Reunions
Banquets
To serve these life-giving activities, AD-Ranch needs other organizations to come along side us to fund the needed improvements to be a first-class, destination worthy facility.
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 discussing how you can help make this a reality- and how a combined vision can come to fruition with cooperation, collaboration, and of course, divine help and inspiration. Remember, funds and grants to Auxilio Divino are 100% efficient; there are no administrative costs or expenses.
Stewardship Opportunities:
AD-Ranch is seeking partners, grants, and donations to complete several capital projects including renovation of the large community center.
| AD Ranch capital project needs and preliminary budget: | |
|---|---|
| Bathroom structure at Chapel, including septic provisions | $50,000 to $75,000 |
| Paved Parking area at Chapel, 36 spaces, concrete sidewalk | $46,000 |
| Entrance Gate and Signage | $20,000 |
| Driveway paving, 2 way entrance at Kickapoo to chapel parking | $45,000 |
| Retreat center 2 front bathroom floor to ceiling remodels | $22,000 |
| Retreat center renovation updated elevation, HVAC, 12-20 suites | $1.8- 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
AD-Ranch Donors:
Trinity Bride
Rainbolt and Co.
Keri & Steven Quance
AD-Ranch Volunteers:
Contact: Gracie Garza for volunteer opportunities, availability and all other inquiries.
Gracie@drakeplastics.com
How to Reach
- 30670 Joseph Road Hockley, TX 77447
- +1-346-553-1234