Rescue Mission history

The Detroit Rescue Mission was founded by David C. Stucky on February 14, 1909.

Billy Sunday, a former major league baseball player and leading evangelist of his time, had a crusade in New Castle from September 18, 1910 to October 31, 1910.

On October 18, 1911, at the Melvin Trotter meeting held at the First Baptist Church, between $2,500 and $2,600 was raised in pledges for a rescue mission.

On March 28, 1921, the Mission was incorporated as "City Rescue Mission of New Castle, Pennsylvania."

The Mission purchases the former Vendome Hotel on South Mercer Street in 1924 for $25,000.

1927 – Celebrated 35 years of ministry with the Superintendent Alexander of the Water Street Mission, as guest speaker

In 1939, during the post-depression era, there was a growing concern for the homeless population and a few individuals were brought together to put their faith into action.

On April 9, 1940, a non-profit was established, and a mission of rescue was initiated.

In 1941, the Mission began its radio program, "Back to Hope Hour," on WKST offering encouragement and hope through the airwaves.

In 1944, a program similar to a second hand store began where donated items were sold for a nominal price, but were offered free to those who could not pay.

In the summer of 1949, The Lighthouse newsletter begins publication and is still in production today.

In 1951, an Industrial Department was created to provide a work program for men desiring rehabilitation.

In 1952, the Family Welfare Department, now known as the Family Care Ministry was founded.

A new facility was built on June 13, 1953.

By 1954, that kitchen had grown and moved to its current location at 111 W. Burnside Street.

With a resolve to meet the growing need, the City Rescue Mission was founded in 1955 and immediately began providing food, clothing, and spiritual guidance to our city’s homeless.

In January 1956, the Macon Rescue Mission, Inc. was chartered in Bibb Superior Court as a non-profit corporation for the primary purpose of “rehabilitating fallen persons,” the first of its kind in Middle Georgia.

In 1958, this soup kitchen expanded its services to include short-term shelter and services for up to 85 men.

In 1961, the Mission purchases it's current headquarters located at 313-319 S Croton Avenue.

1962 – Purchased the former Y.W.C.A. building at 19 Bliss Street

Throughout the ensuing decades since that epochal day in 1963, as people saw the needs which the Rescue Mission was able to meet through their help, that support has grown.

In 1964, the City Rescue Mission's long history of serving the needs of children is culminated in the creation of the Sankey Youth Ministry Center.

In 1965 "Mission Echoes" radio program was first broadcasted over the radio airwaves.

The building was later renamed in 1966 as the Elder Memorial Rehabilitation Center honoring Spurgeon Elder, the Center's first Industrial Superintendent.

In 1967, a building at 222 S Croton Avenue was donated as the Mission's first Sankey Youth Center.

In 1971, the Rescue Mission expanded its services.

The former Camp Eastbrook is acquired from the YWCA in 1974 and is renamed Sherman Acres in memory of Mr. and Mrs.

In 1976, the Ramsey Building located across the street from the Mission's main building on Croton Avenue is acquired.

A new building was completed in 1980, housing a chapel, offices, a kitchen, and a dining room, as well as additional lodging for men in the Rescue Mission’s New Life Discipleship Program.

Opened in 1981, the Women’s Division became the first domestic violence shelter in Middle Georgia, occupying an entire floor of the Broadway facility.

The Inter-Church Food Bank is created in 1982 as a service to local churches by the Mission's Family Care Ministry.

The facility is located at Murphy Acres, a 10 acre parcel of property on the lower west side of New Castle that was purchased from the estate of Daniel Murphy in 1983.

In 1984, Bethesda Home, a Christian Crisis Pregnancy Center begins serving the needs of pregnant women.

Once again, the Mission (now known as the San Diego Rescue Mission) responded by opening a new and much larger facility for men at 1150 J Street in 1985.

In 1986, the City Rescue Mission celebrates its 75th Anniversary.

Ron Willoughby began serving as executive director/CEO in 1987.

1988 – Two programs established: Operation SONshine (Mobile Feeding Program), Men’s New Life Program

1989 – Two programs established: Children’s Summer Ministry, Opened Give Away Center to men, women and children

The building located at 310 S Croton Avenue is acquired in 1990 and becomes the current location of the Mission's Family Care Ministry and Administrative Offices.

In 1991, the Hudson Memorial Educational Scholarship Fund is established in memory of Mr.

On June 7, 1992, the Rescue Mission dedicated its new offices, food pantry and distribution center.

In 1993, the purchase and renovation of buildings on South 16th Street allowed the San Diego Rescue Mission to open a new Women and Children’s Center.

On January 1, 1994, a 13,000 square-foot building was donated to the Rescue Mission, allowing the Rescue Mission to enlarge the after-school tutoring program for youth and to establish a computer learning center for people in our discipleship program.

1995 – Learning Center established

In 1996 the City Rescue Mission celebrates it’s 85th anniversary and Rev.

Sherman Acres provided day camp facilities for the Sankey Youth Program until 1997.

In March 1998, the Rescue Mission started an outreach program in Fairfield ‒ Mission Solano ‒ to help the homeless and impoverished in Solano County.

In December of 1999, an expansion and renovation project of the kitchen led to the establishment of a Culinary Arts Training Center.

2000 – Kitchen renovation completed at 19 Bliss Street

Kevin A. Green is appointed first as Interim Executive Director and then in 2001 as the Mission's eighth Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer.

In 2002, the Thrift Stores and Rehabilitation Center were closed following an evaluation of their profitibility.

2004 – Renewal of “Growing Together Toward Excellence” Certification with AGRM

The Donald F. DeVos Ministry Center, the former Highland Park YWCA, renamed in honor of our late president, had its open house and fund raiser on April 28, 2005 for new permanent housing clients.

2006 – New Development Office implemented at 19 Bliss Street

The first phase of families moved in on June 27, 2007.

In 2011, the City Rescue Mission celebrates it's 100th Anniversary! Thousands of lives have been transformed through the programs offered by the Mission.

In 2014, it was announced that a casino be built in Springfield and the Rescue Mission would need to vacate the two Bliss Street buildings.

In December 2015, the Rescue Mission officially vacated 15 and 19 Bliss Street to call 10 Mill Street, Springfield home to the Rehabilitation/Transformation Program, Give Away Center and Business Offices.

BARM was forced to turn away 3,520 women and children who requested shelter in 2019 because there was no room to care for them.

In January 2020, Jack H. Lynn joins the City Rescue Mission as Executive Director, while Kevin A Green continues his role as Chief Executive Officer. “It is a great honor to have this opportunity to serve at the Mission and make a positive impact in our community.