Programs
"Our objective is that every client will be a responsible person, living in a supportive community (church, spouse and friends), with a job and permanent housing."
Lisa's Story
Lisa says she would have been in the same boat (homeless and using drugs) had it not been for the six-month addiction treatment program at the New Hope Family Shelter. Read more >>
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History
A mutual concern for the many homeless men on the
streets of Stockton brought a group of people together in the home
of Dr. and Mrs. Petersen at 1225 N. Hunter in Stockton on
Saturday, September 16, 1939. The Stockton Gospel Center
began in the late hours of that evening. The minutes of the meeting
record the following:“After a delightful dinner and conversation the
purpose of the meeting was explained by Dr. Petersen
who then called upon Evangelist G. Clarence Greene
for more details of the subject, which was the founding of a Gospel
Center in Stockton.” The “Stockton Gospel Center” (SGC)
was selected as the name of the Center to be established,
same to be undenominational in character, to provide a reading room,
a tract room, workers room, room for Sunday afternoon Sunday School
to reach those not contacted by any other church, auditorium or
assembly room for special speakers, Bible teachers, etc. The Center
was to be under the supervision of Evangelist Greene and would
probably requiring a secretary-mission worker.” The SGC was
incorporated in California on April 9, 1940 as a Non Profit Welfare
Organization. Evangelist Greene was assisted by a businessman named
Mr. Fred Rose. Greene continued as superintendent
for seven years (1939-1946) until poor health and a lack of funds
forced him to resign. In a Mission publication entitled, “Panorama Report,” composed under the direction of
Superintendent Vern Zook, which looks at the SGC history
from 1939 through 1953, the leadership of the SGC proceeded as
follows after the resignation of Evangelist Greene.
“Mr. Gerhard Vander Beek, a Hollander and shoe
salesman volunteered to forsake self and salary and pitch in to keep
the work going.” Mr. Vander Beek continued as
superintendent for five years until he too experienced poor health.
In June of 1951, Vander Beek ended his tenure at
the Mission and the doors were closed until a new superintendent
could be found. The “Panorama Report records the
following: “Gerhard Vander B had seen the Mission
through a hard struggle, but through the struggle the goodwill of
the churches and the general citizenry of both Stockton and Ripon
had been established. The SGC was first located on
332 East Market Street (two doors down from the
Travelers Hotel). It remained at the Market Street
location for two years. During the Market Street stay, only
spiritual services were provided. Then, due to an increase in rent
the Mission moved to 130 East Lafayette Street
(where it replaced a bar room). At the Lafayette St. location the
Mission began to serve meals in the basement after the evening
evangelistic service.
In May of 1948, the property at 229 E Church Street was
purchased at a cost of $6500. The original building at 229
Church Street had been a vegetable market with a livery stable in
the rear. Later, the livery stable was converted to a bar and dance
hall and functioned as such until the SGC purchased it.
On September 17, 1951 Vern H. Zook became the
new superintendent. During 1952 and 1953 the first new building was
built behind the original vegetable market building at the 229 East
Church Street address. The new building housed the chapel on the
first floor with a dormitory upstairs. The Mission has remained at
the East Church Street location where it has expanded its property
and programs to what they are today.
On June 9, 1953, the Stockton Rescue Mission was
founded at West Main Street in Stockton as a new
venture by another group who were also concerned about the homeless
men in Stockton. It later moved to Washington and Commerce
Sts. where it rented a building. Later a permanent location at 401
S. Center was purchased for $15,000.
In 1956 Carl and Ethel Ellison became the
superintendents of the Stockton Gospel Center. On January 6, 1970 it
was decided by both Mission Boards to merge the two missions, and on
July 13, 1970 the merger was incorporated as the Stockton Gospel
Rescue Mission. The merger was done so that together a new mission
facility could be built to take care of the needs of those who came
to the two missions. The united boards decided to locate the mission
at 229 E. Church Street. and to purchase the property at 227 E.
church Street on which to build the new building. The hope was to
start construction on September 1, 1971. In 1971, after the property
was purchased and a existing house was razed, the new building the
united Boards dreamed of was built at 227 E Church Street .
This building expanded the mission’s facilities to include
a new chapel and offices on the first floor, dormitory for transient
men and an apartment for the director on the second floor and a
basement with storage and shower facilities. The first building
which was built behind the old vegetable market continued to house
the kitchen and dining room on the first floor, and a dormitory on
the second floor for the men’s rehabilitation program. The old
vegetable market building was razed.
Carl and Ethel Ellison retired as directors of the Stockton Gospel Rescue Mission on January 1 1977 after twenty(20) years at the mission.
In 1979 the old Frazier Furnace Building ”at 445 S. San
Joaquin Street (Corner of San Joaquin and Church Sts.) was purchased
to serve as administrative offices, cooler and freezer and warehouse
space.
In 1982 the New hope Family Shelter was added at
403 S. San Joaquin Street in what had formerly been
“Alistiza’s Basque Restaurant and Hotel”. In 1984
the facility was renovated inside by a retired volunteers service
group, board members and other interested individuals to accommodate
the new program . In 1988 three houses were purchased along San
Joaquin Street (423, 429/431 and 435/437).
In 1990 the duplex at 204 and 206 Sonora Street was purchased.
The two units have been used as affordable housing for staff and
more recently as affordable housing rental property.
On December 17, 2002 the duplex at 224/226 E. Sonora was razed to make way for a new New Hope Family Shelter. It is hoped that the new facility will be occupied by October of 2002. At the present time, the Gospel Center Rescue Mission owns approximately 1/2 of a city block. It is a fully enclosed campus which houses all of its ministries. All of the buildings have served well; but, they are now in desperate need of repair.
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Past and Present Names of the Rescue Mission Include:
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Past & Present Superintendents / Executive Directors & CEOs
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