A Brief Timeline of the Washington City Mission
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Founder, the Reverand Edward Burt McCausland, 29, holds Washington City Mission's first chapel in a small at 404 S. Main St. |
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The Mission moves to 322 W. Chestnut St. A man's dormitory opens with 15 beds and provides free meals to homeless and poor men. The staff holds Child Evangelism classes, Sunday school, nightly chapel, prayer meetings, street meetings, a weekly service at the County Jail and does visitation to hospitals, homes and the jail. McClausland opens Hayes Avenue Mission, a branch of Washington City Mission. Around 60 children from the area participate in Sunday school, Child Evangelism classes, picnics and holiday events. |
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On September 13, 1943, Burt McClausland and Avis Pattison marry and continue the work of Washington City Mission as co-superintendents. |
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The Mission continues to serve the poor and homeless of Washington and surrounding communities. |
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First Christian Church, 84 West Wheeling Street, becomes home to Washington City Mission. The ministry expands services to the homeless and more than triples its shelter capacity. The Mission's men's shelter, clinic, chapel, dining room and other services remain at this site today. |
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Burt McCausland retires after 36 years of faithful service as superintendent of Washington City Mission. |
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Rescue missions across the United States are addressing the problem of sheltering the country's fastest growing population of homeless-the family. |
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Avis Arbor Women's Shelter, named after Avis McCausland, opens to become a safe haven to hurting homeless women and their children. Avis Arbor provides shelter, hot meals, counseling, spiritual guidance and security to 13 women and children. |
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Francis L. King, then-mayor of Washington, proclaims Washington City Mission Day to celebrate the millionth meal served. At this time, the Mission serves about 6,000 meals each month, and operates seven Helping Hand thrift stores. With a 70-bed capacity, the Mission is the largest shelter facility in the tri-county area. |
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With the assistance and generosity of a local couple, Washington City Mission's board of directors votes to acquire three buildings adjacent to the current location to be used for future shelter and transitional housing. |
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An expanded Avis Arbor opens, increasing the Mission's capacity by 47%. The Mission remains the largest private shelter in the tri-county area with the capacity to serve 56 men and 32 women and children. The Mission also serves over 133,000 meals annually.
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