Pacific Garden Mission

Pacific Garden Mission is a homeless shelter in Chicago, Illinois founded in 1877 by Colonel George Clarke and his wife Sarah. It operates from a Christian Fundamentalist perspective and has been nicknamed "The Old Lighthouse".

Related Topics:
Homeless - Chicago, Illinois - 1877 - Colonel George Clarke - Sarah - Christian Fundamentalist - Nickname

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Among the Mission's converts is the famous prohibitionist speaker Billy Sunday.

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In 1950, the Mission began production of "Unshackled", a radio dramatic series showcasing conversions to Christianity. The show remains in production today and is produced in several languages.

Related Topics:
Unshackled - Drama

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The original location was at 386 S. Clark Street. In 1887 the mission was moved to 67 E. Van Buren Street, in a location formerly known as the Pacific Beer Mission. The current Pacific Garden Mission name was adopted at that time when it was suggested that the name of the former occupant be kept but with "beer" dropped from the name.

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The Pacific Garden Mission has been located at its present location at 646 S. State Street since 1923, moving there to follow a shift in the location of Chicago's skid row. This was in a neighborhood known for its hobo jungles and flophouses at the time, just south of The Loop. During the past few years the Mission has been pressured by the city of Chicago to move from its current location, due to ongoing gentrification in the neighborhood. The Pacific Garden Mission as of December 2004 has agreed in negotiations with the city of Chicago to move to a new location, tenatatively located at 14th Place and Canal Street.

Related Topics:
1923 - Skid row - Hobo - Flophouse - The Loop - Gentrification - 2004

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