On November 1, 1906, Rev. Adam Welty, without any visible means of support, moved his family to their new home at 207 East North Street. This large rented house would serve as a residence for the family and also a haven for transient men needing food and lodging. It was not until later that Rev. Welty learned that their new home was in the heart of what was then the “red light district” of the city.
As he observed later, “The second night we were there two drunken men asked for beds. One of them said to me, ‘Mr. Welty, you sure are game to come in to this neighborhood.’” Trusting God to protect his family, he was determined to continue the work God had called him to do.
Within a few years that East North Street house proved inadequate to care for the number of men coming for help. Although there were no funds in the mission treasury for expansion, Rev. Welty decided that a larger building was necessary. He believed God would provide. In 1914, a site at the corner of Central Avenue and Wayne Street was selected and secured with a down payment of $200.00 which Mrs. Welty had managed to save. Construction began in 1916, and was suspended for a time during World War I. The building was completed and ready for occupancy in 1920.
It is impossible to know how many lives have been impacted over the 114-year history—sufficient to say that all who come are cared for, and also given the opportunity for a new life through faith in Jesus Christ. The ministry to poor and homeless men is carried on much as it always has been, providing food, shelter, and clothing, as well are a Gospel witness to all who come for assistance.
The history of the Mission is the story of what God will do in response to faith. Someone has aptly said, “It is not the greatness of my faith that moves mountains, but my faith in the greatness of God.”
You can view a timeline of our history at this link.