History
1911
The famous evangelist Billy Sunday visited in the Erie area and stirred a massive campaign of spiritual revival. His rallies not only converted thousands of people, but sparked the creation of a Christian social outreach which we know today as The City Mission/New Life Center. The Rev. Sunday had been preaching in Erie for six weeks, and during that time his friend, Mel Trotter, shared with audiences how rescue missions were changing many lives throughout the United States. A Men's Personal Work League, which had been organized to get more men involved in the revival, became so enthused from their conversion experiences that they decided to take on a project of organizing a rescue mission in the city of Erie. Mel Trotter agreed to help them. Monies were quickly raised with Byron Walker, President of Lovell Manufacturing, spearheading the effort. An old church building on 12th and Peach, which had formerly housed the German Evangelical Church, was secured to be the site of the new rescue mission. The site was surrounded by cheap lodging quarters for old-time Lake Erie sailors. A tough, drinking crowd abounded and kept local police quite busy.
The Mission opened in October 1911 with Ed Clark as the first superintendent. He, himself a convert of the Billy Sunday campaign and a recovering alcoholic, brought zeal and enthusiasm to the Mission work. Many volunteers assisted him in sharing the Gospel and providing music, food and clothing to those in need. Ed grew in the work and is credited with establishing the City Mission as one of the most important social outreach centers in the City of Erie. As the Men's Personal Work League was only a temporary organization, the City Mission eventually came under the auspices of the Erie Evangelistic Association, a group of representatives of the evangelical churches in the city.
1924
In 1924, however, the Association dissolved and the Mission incorporated under the name "City Mission of the Evangelical Churches of Erie, Pennsylvania". After a few years, the Bessemer Railroad Company acquired the building which housed the Mission. Funds had to be raised to purchase a suitable building. The site selected was a store building at 22 East 9th Street, between State and French Streets. The Mission remained at this place until the Rev. C.A. Blackmore's tenure brought another change. Because a larger facility was needed, a lot was purchased at 1117 Peach Street and a building was erected to meet the need.
1971
The City Mission changed its location to 150 East 9th Street in 1971. This move was necessary because required renovation costs at the Peach Street site were so excessive. It was at this time also that the Mission became identified as The City Mission/New Life Center. It was felt that this name suited the Mission's call to be a part of a broader ministry.
1978
In order to meet the growing demands for services, the City Mission again changed its location to 1023 French Street in 1978. A second-hand clothing store was also opened in this building. The 9th Street building as demolished and the area was absorbed to become part of the Erie Civic Center. With the help of numerous community churches and persons who were sympathetic to those in need, the City Mission began to acquire tremendous in-kind donations of clothing and household items.
1986
More space was needed to accommodate these goods and also to provide adequate training facilities for the Mission's resident clients and for the expansion of administrative offices. In 1986, the former Reliable Furniture Store at 1213 State Street was purchased to meet these demands.
1988
In 1988, the City Mission addressed the growing evidence of women needing shelter from either abusive home situations or the consequences of addictive lifestyles. The Evergreen Training Center for Women and Children was opened at a renovated site at 209 East 9th Street and became a safe haven for many homeless women. In June 1993, however, a decision to close the center was made due to increasing costs in the Mission's efforts to meet many of the women's psychological needs.
2006
The Erie City Mission moves its Family Care Ministries from the basement of 1017 French Street to the former Erie Book Store at 717 French Street. Outreach to families in need increases from once per month to once per week. More than 1200 family visits per month prove that the increase was desperately needed.
Families in need are given bags of groceries and have access to clothing and other necessities.
The Mission opens up it’s 4th thrift store with plans for a 5th and 6th in the future. Thrifty Shopper Stores are now located at 914 State Street in downtown Erie, West Erie Plaza and 10081 Ridge Road in Girard. Angel Bay Finer Used and Specialty Goods is located at 843 Pittsburgh Avenue. All sales go back to support the Erie City Mission to help make the Mission more self sufficient. It allows more of each donation dollar to go directly to housing the homeless, feeding the hungry and rescuing the lost, right here at home.
Donations of gently used clothing, furniture, household items, small electronics and computer equipment are received and sorted at 1105 West 12th Street.
Today
The Erie City Mission encompasses two buildings at 1017 and 1023 French St. The 1017 Building contains Hope Center Addiction Treatment Services. It is a fully licensed in-patient Drug & Alcohol program for men and out-patient program for women and men. Hope Center also treats Gambling Addiction. The building also houses the Mission’s administrative offices.
In the 1023 building we house the Men's New Life Program and serve the general public a meal at noon each day.
The Mission has endured through two world wars, an international depression, many foreign war conflicts and numerous recessions. Dedicated staff, financial donors and volunteers have kept the doors open to meet the ongoing spiritual, physical and emotional needs of thousands of persons. Your help in moving the Mission forward is needed more today than ever.