Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2012, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== History of Grand Rapids, Michigan Goss, 1906 [Page 1296] The Rescue Mission This mission was organized in February, 1900, by Melvin E. Trotter. It was first opened at No. 95 Canal street in a small room not more than 20x70 feet in size. Although its quarters [Page 1297] were poorly ventilated and illy adapted for its purposes, success attended it from its inception. But the old room was speedily found inadequate to accommodate the throngs that nightly demanded admission. So a new building was erected at Nos. 70 and 72 Market street, with a seating capacity of eight hundred and fifty. Into this the mission was moved in 1901. Scarcely more than two years elapsed and the superintendent and officers found themselves again con- fronted with the problem—how to find room for the crowds that nightly attended. Especially was this difficulty experienced at the Saturday night meetings when, after seats and even standing room were all filled and occupied, many were turned away, unable to gain admission. The Rescue Mission is open practically all the time. For three hundred and sixty-five in each twelve months the rooms are open for worship, for test- imonials from those who have been saved from sin, efforts to rescue the fallen and unfortunate ones of the earth. But the work of the mission is by no means confined to religious teaching and efforts to regenerate the criminal, the vicious and the unfortunate classes. Where material help is needed it is freely given. Advice and sympathy are never withheld. But the extent of the charitable assistance thus rendered to the worthy poor cannot be appreciated by those not familiar with the details. Not a day and hardly an hour passes that does not bring applicants for aid. Especially is this true during the winter months. Last year, 1904, the missions practically supported and clothed sixty-four destitute families. Every Wednesday afternoon there is held a mothers’ meeting, when from thirty to forty earnest women workers gather to sew and make garments for the needy and destitute. Some of these are made from new material, but most are from remodeled donations. Each year a large meeting is held, at which the citizens of Grand Rapids contribute for the support of the mission. ==========================================================================