City Mission's Proud History is on Display Here

Mission History

At City Mission we have a proud and rich history of service to our community. From our humble beginnings in 1941 as a small ministry to larger Christian-based operation serving over 100,000 meals per year and providing housing to 160 people - City Mission remains a selfless servant of the community. Feel free to download a .pdf copy of the Mission's history.

1941

First Chapel Service

Founder The Reverend Burt McCausland (29) holds City Mission’s first chapel service in a small storeroom at 404 S. Main St., Washington, PA.

1943

Burt McCausland and Avis Pattison Marry

On September 13, 1943, Burt McCausland and Avis Pattison marry and continue the work of City Mission as co-superintendents.

1977

Burt McCausland Retire

Burt McCausland retires after thirty-six years of faithful service as superintendent of City Mission.

1986

a young mother resident at City Mission gives her child a soothing hug and kiss

The Women & Children’s Shelter Opens

Avis Arbor Women’s Shelter, named after Avis McCausland, opens to become a safe haven for hurting homeless women and their children. Avis Arbor provides shelter, hot meals, counseling, spiritual guidance, and security for thirteen women and children.

2003

Avis Arbor Expands

An expanded Avis Arbor opens. The mission remains the largest private shelter in the tri-county area, with the capacity to service over a hundred men, women, and women with children. The mission also serves over 118,000 meals annually.

2011

City Mission Celebrates 70th Anniversary

On February 7, City Mission celebrates its seventieth anniversary of serving the poor, homeless, and working poor of Washington County.

2014

City Mission Keeps Growing

City Mission doubled in size in terms of resident occupancy and financial growth from 2010.

2015

Renew 2020 Is Launched

City Mission creates a strategic plan called RENEW 2020.

2016

Members of the City Mission's board handle shovels during the groundbreaking of the Crabtree-Kovacicek Veterans House

New Veterans Shelter Groundbreaking

Sept. 2016 – Held groundbreaking ceremony for new homeless veteran’s shelter “The Patriot House.”

2016

Two male residents sit on bunks opposite each other having a discussion

New Men’s Shelter completed

June, 2016 – Moved male residents from temporary housing into new Men’s Shelter.

2016

New Chapel & Programs Building

Dec. 2016 – Opened and began using new Chapel and Programs Building.

2017

New City Mission Thrift Store

May 2017 – Opened new City Mission Thrift Store in Waynesburg, PA.

2018

Increasing Capacity

City Mission expands its capacity from 96 to 160 beds.

2018

Patient being examined in the City Mission's new Medical Center

City Mission Opens New Medical Center

City Mission opens their new Medical Center facility and expands the medical services available to City Mission residents.

2018

Common living room areas of the City Mission's new 'Women with Children' Center

City Mission Opens Newly Expanded Women with Children's Center

In September, City Mission holds a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Grand Opening of their newly-expanded Women with Children Center, which now provides 11 cozy and uniquely-designed apartments for women with children. Full-time child care is provided at the on-site Child Care Center. The total capacity for the shelter is 32 beds.

2022

Sally's House

Sally’s House is our newest shelter, which opened in 2022. It has 15 beds and is the new home of our Single Women’s Next Step Program.

1942

A gentlemen eating at the City Mission, circa 1941

The Men’s Shelter Opens

The mission moves to 322 W. Chestnut St. A men’s dormitory opens with a fifteen-bed shelter and provides free meals to homeless and poor men. The staff holds child evangelism classes, Sunday school, nightly chapel, prayer meetings, street meetings, and a weekly service at the county jail, and does visitation to hospitals, homes, and the jail. McCausland opens Hayes Avenue Mission, a branch of City Mission. Around sixty children from the area participate in Sunday school, child evangelism classes, picnics, and holiday events.

1963

City Mission Chapel - formerly the First Christian Church

City Mission Finds a Permanent Home

First Christian Church, 84 W. Wheeling St., becomes home to City Mission. The ministry expands services to the homeless and more than triples its shelter capacity. The mission is still located at this site today.

1980

Many Families Becoming Homeless Across the U.S.

Rescue missions across the United States are addressing the problem of sheltering the country’s fastest-growing population of homeless—families.

1993

City Mission Day Is Proclaimed

Francis L. King, then mayor of Washington, proclaims City Mission Day to celebrate the millionth meal served. At this time, the mission serves about 6,000 meals each month, and operates seven thrift stores. With a seventy-bed capacity, the mission is the largest shelter facility in the tri-county area.

2000

City Mission Acquires Three Buildings

With the assistance and generosity of a local couple, 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.

2008

The HEIRS Program Is Created

The HEIRS program — a comprehensive program focusing on Housing, Employment, Income Development, Recovery, and Spiritual Development — is introduced.

2010

Dean Gartland outside of City Mission's Chapel

Dean R. Gartland Becomes CEO/President

Current CEO/President Dean R. Gartland takes office.

2016

Dining area of City Mission's post fire reconstructed cafeteria

New kitchen and dining facility opens

June 2016 – Began serving meals in new kitchen and dining facility.

2016

City Mission Celebrates 75th Anniversary

Oct. 2016 – Held City Mission 75th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee.

2016

External view of City Mission's Warehouse - known also as the 'Vocational Training Center'

Purchase 40,000 square foot warehouse

March 2016 – City Mission purchased a 40,000 square foot warehouse to serve as Vocational Training Center/Donation Center.

2017

Inside the computer room of the Career Training and Education Center