History

"I never did ask God for the easy way."
-- Rev. David B. Bulkley

Rev. Bulkley and daughter Ruth, 19

David Bulkley saw the broken men of Kansas City as "God's human sparrows." A Kansas City Star article in 1934, described them as "men staggering to their feet from all sorts of knockout blows, men who had lost heart in the battle of life ... beaten men".

Mrs. Bulkley became acquainted with Annie Chambers, former owner of what was once the finest and most elegant brothel in Kansas City. For decades, she ran it, protected by police and businessmen, until prohibition and a crackdown on prostitution closed her down. By 1934, Annie was 92 and had been supporting herself by giving tours of her decaying brothel.

David Bulkley, 1918. YMCA Chaplain in World War On

The friendship between the Bulkleys and the lonely former Madame grew. She shared her life story with them; they shared the Gospel with her. Soon after giving her heart to the Lord, she deeded her home to City Union Mission. "I have been thinking lately that there are many women who need just such love and sympathy to save them," she told the Bulkleys. "I want to give you this big house of mine for that purpose." With the acquisition of this property and finally, the Eva Prince mansion, the Bulkeys began ministries to men, women and children that reach "God's human sparrows" even today with the same vital, life-changing information of God's love and sacrifice for them.

Timeline

1920s    1930s    1940s    1950s    1960s    1970s    1980s    1990s    2000s

1920s

Rev. David Bulkley, a chaplain proclaiming the Gospel to the soldiers in his charge during World War I, returned to the United States determined to make a difference.

1924 – Rev. and Mrs. David Bulkley founded City Union Mission in Kansas City's Skid Row on September 15, 1924, after being involved with a number of charities, including the Helping Hands Ministry.  'Union' was included to illustrate the point it was a collaborative effort by many evangelical denominations, which it still is to this very day. The Bulkleys had one child, four-year-old Ruth. Putting up their home as collateral, David and Beulah worked tirelessly in the fundraising, promotion, administrative, program, and services aspects of the ministry. Back then, hundreds of men lived on each city block of the area we now call the City Market. They lived in flophouses, which consisted of small 'cells', approximately 8'x8', with chicken-wire walls furnished with a mattress and chamber pot. These rented for a nickel a night. The Mission first began reaching out to these men by having evening chapel and serving an evening meal at 545 Main.

From left to right) Eva Prince Brothel, The Harbor (formerly Madame Lovejoy's Brothel), Annie Champbers Brothel.

1927 – The Mission leased the Madame Lovejoy Mansion at 4^th and Wyandotte and renames it The Harbor.  It was flanked by two more "former palaces of sin" - the Eva Prince and Annie Chambers mansions. The Bulkley family resided at The Harbor, along with several homeless men who needed a place to live. By this time, Weekly Sunday Schools for all ages had an attendance of up to 300 and were held at the 535-539 Main location. Annual budget was $12,000.

1928 – The Mission moved to a larger location where, during the holidays, 1,000 to over 2,000 men, women and children were fed. 

1929 – The Mission acquired the Eva Prince mansion for $2,000 and it became the transient men’s dormitory. 

1930s 

1933-34 – Madame Annie Chambers was converted to Christianity when Rev. Bulkley preached at a funeral for a prostitute's stillborn baby. Annie, said to be the most famous madam in K.C., listened to the funeral from a rear window of her home and became a Christian as a result. This story is documented in a reprinted Kansas City Star front-page article dated February 18, 1934, that we have available here at the Mission. The Mission’s Gospel ministry and feeding program ministry remained at the Main Street address.

Annie Chamber's ballroom was host to the Mission Mothers' Sewing Circle.  (Annie is seated on the fron row, thrid from left.)

The Bulkleys purchased 1000-acres in the Ozarks. Hundreds of homeless men came to work, live, and find meaning in their lives. Hard work and time for Bible study brought peace to those who sought the tranquility of "Opportunity Farm." Soon summer camps were organized for poverty-stricken children, ages 5-16. Today, Camp CUMCITO and Tot Lot provide weeklong summer vacations to over 350 low-income children each year.

1935 – The Mission’s annual budget was $15,000. Annie Chambers died at the age of 93, and her house was deeded to City Union Mission for a ministry to wayward women.  

1940s

June 14, 1940 – Rev. David B. Bulkley died and his wife, Beulah, began her 14-year career as Superintendent.

1945 – The Bulkley’s daughter Ruth married Maurice Vanderberg in San Luis Obispo, California when he returned from World War II.

1950s

1950 – The Mission relocated to the Elk’s Club Building at 7^thand Grand in the Fall. Maurice Vanderberg, Mrs. Bulkley’s son-in-law, assisted in the move as Assistant Superintendant, but then in 1952 the Vanderberg family moved back to California.

1954 – Board of Directors called Rev. Maurice Vanderberg,
to become the Superintendent. His wife Ruth, daughter of the Mission’s founders, assisted in the Ministry.  In 1954, Maurice created the Christian Life Program, a long-term recovery program for homeless men, now utilized by rescue missions around the world, and expanded other services, including establishing a building for families in the long-term recovery program. A small medical and dental clinic was added in the fall of 1950 and staffed by volunteer professionals. Today the Mission still has Medical Services available to those in need.

1956 – Opportunity Farm was formalized as an extension of the Christian Life Program (CLP) at the Mission in Kansas City. On the farm program, men operated under CLP, while maintaining the farm, Camp CUMCITO and Tot Lot. The program continues today with 16 to 20 CLP members.

1958 – A women's auxiliary was founded June 13, 1958. Today it is called 'Circle of Friends' and work projects for the Mission are done at area churches.   

1960s

1960 – The Mission’s Board of Directors voted to purchase two buildings to house the  ministry’s expanding services. The Boys Club Building at 1601 Admiral became the Mission headquarters and a four story building at 7^thand Wyandotte,  became the Men’s Building. It was at the Boy’s Club Building that the Mission operated its first Youth Center, providing after-school and summer programs for up to 400 inner city children weekly. The expansion necessitated the hiring of more staff to oversee the ministry. Approximately 12 employees were on the payroll.

1970s

1972 – The Mission purchased the University of Missouri Dental College at 1108 East 10th St.(corner of 10^th and Troost). The building was under renovation until 1977.  

1977 – Mission headquarters and Men’s Center moved into the renovated Dental College Building, where the short-term Men’s Shelter is still today. The Family Service Department also moved here after the Boy’s Club Building was sold. Mission opened a thrift store in December, as a way of distributing clothing to the community at low cost, with proceeds going to support the Mission.

August 15, 1978 – The Mission almost 'crashed' financially; the Board of Directors discussed filing for bankruptcy.  Donors responded to pleas for help and all the Mission’s debts were paid.

1978 – The ministry opened Pilgrim House Family Shelter in response to the growing number of homeless families. Daniel J. Doty was hired as evening Chaplain and Supervisor to the men in the shelter.

1980s

January 1980 – Beulah Bulkley died at age 92.  The Bulkley Memorial Chapel at Camp CUMCITO was dedicated that summer.

September 1982 – The Mission initiated their Volunteer Program.

1983 – Ministries for low income and homeless families moved to the City Union Mission Family Center at 1310 Wabash, formerly the Banneker Grade School. During the next four years, the Family Center added two wings to the homeless shelter area.

1984 – Life Skill classes for homeless and low income families and women were initiated at the Family Center. Out of these classes was born the New Life Program. The Youth Center opened.

1985 – Mission began the Hotline for the Homeless to connect the homeless to available shelter throughout the city. The switchboard connecting homeless callers to area shelters was the first of its kind in the United States. Bed and Bread Club is established as a monthly pledge program for donors to help the Mission with year-round expenses.

July 1989 – City Union Mission was housing up to 250 men, women and children nightly in its dorms, infirmary, and program areas. "There is no reasonable explanation for City Union Mission’s existence apart from the approval of God.” – Rev. Maurice Vanderberg,

1990s

May 5, 1990 –  First Annual 'Bikers With A Mission', the 100 mile benefit ride for the homeless, raised $23,000 with pledges from 540 bikers. In 21 years since, Bikers have raised over $540,000 for City Union Mission.

Dec. 31, 1991 – Maurice Vanderberg retired as executive director after 37 years.

Jan, 1, 1992 – Rev. Daniel J. Doty, Maurice's assistant for 10 years, became Executive Director.  He holds that position today. When Dan took the helm, he was married to Vannie and had four children, Daniel, Katherine, Anne, and Laura.

August 1992 – Groundbreaking ceremonies for the Vanderberg Youth Center took place. The Board voted to finance the 6,000 sq.ft. facility at a cost of approx. $500,000.  An open house was held one year later in August 1993 at this expanded facility for the growing numbers of children needing after school recreation and tutoring assistance.  Today, the Youth Center works with around 100 children, ages 5-17, in an after-school program which includes tutoring, organized sports, Bible Study, field trips, etc.

November 1993 – Family Center’s Learning Center opened.

1995 – Learning Center for the Christian Life Program opened.

1997 – Planning began for a new building on the Family Center property to house the New Life Program (NLP), a recovery program for families and women.

May 10, 1998 – Rev. Maurice Vanderberg died at age 78.

1998 – The Mission kicked off the 'Restoring Hope' capital campaign, raising over $3.7 million to build a new long-term recovery shelter at 13^thand Olive and renovate other existing shelter areas.  A ground-breaking ceremony was held on June 10^th and the building was complete in 2000. (Picture of NLC)

September 15, 1999 – 75^th Anniversary Open House was held at the Men’s Center, (1108 E. 10^thSt. location).  For the occasion, Julie Vanderberg Rohlfing, a granddaughter to the Mission's founders, David and Beulah Bulkley, and daughter of former Executive Director Maurice and Ruth Vanderberg, was commissioned to write a historical book entitled, "I Never Asked For The Easy Way" with the sub-title, "The People Who Shaped City Union Mission". (Book still is available for sale today.)    

2000s

New Life Center opened to families on the NLP.  Administrative Offices moved in May to 1100 E. 11^th Street, Kansas City, Missouri. Total beds provided: 86,061; Total meals: 176,580; Budget is $4,950,000  

2004 – Mission celebrated 80 years of ministry to those people that founder Rev. David Bulkley considered as "God's Human Sparrows”. 
A book so titled commemorated the 80th Anniversary with photos and quotes from those served by the Mission, as well as thoughts that have impacted the staff of the Mission. (Book still is available for sale.)  An 80^th Celebration was held at the World War I Liberty Memorial auditorium located in Kansas City, Missouri. A picture of the Mission’s founder, Rev. Bulkley, in his World War I Chaplain uniform was presented to the museum for display.

July/August 2007 – Christian Life Program life skill classes include anger management, budgeting, fathering, addiction relapse prevention, and Christian living for productive hope-filled lives. 

September/October 2007 – The Mission’s magazine, The Light, features the Mission’s second capital campaign: “Building the Walls That Rebuild Lives" Campaign with a goal of $12 million dollars.  This campaign includes the following: Renovating the existing Men’s Shelter, more than doubling the services from 140 to 300 men; constructing a new 35,000-square foot facility for our Christian Life Program to double our capacity from 50 to 100 men; providing adequate, secure parking for Mission donors, volunteers and staff; renovating and upgrading restrooms and classroom space at the Women and Families Shelter; and upgrading the water delivery and waste treatment systems at Camp CUMCITO. 

April 2008 – Christian Life Center (new 'green' building) Open House; Space for 100 men. No more waiting for those men who desire to join the Christian Life Program rehabilitation program. 

Summer 2009 – "Faces", the Mission’s 3^rd book was printed.  It is a compilation of photos taken over the past 85 years of the men, women, and children whose personal journeys of hope have led them to City Union Mission. The 48-page volume includes a photograph of the 'Journey of Hope' mural painted on the wall of the Mission’s Christian Live Center by artist Alexander Austin. (Book still is available for sale.)

September 15, 2009 – 85^th Anniversary Open House with tours of the newly renovated Men’s Emergency Shelter and Christian Life Program building. Music provided by the Mission’s “Some of the Pieces” Men’s Choir and a special impersonation of the legendary Annie Chambers.

2009 – 346,996 meals served and 141,844 beds provided 697 decisions for Christ; 9,266 patients were seen in medical services; 7,712 people requested shelter through the Hotline for the Homeless; and 413 kids attended Camp CUMCITO. Budget is $7.1 million.

August 2010 – Dan Doty as Executive Director has overseen the completion of two capital campaigns to date. These have led to more than tripling of quantity of shelter beds and the need continues to grow during this difficult economic times. City Union Mission offers half of the emergency shelter beds in downtown Kansas City with both a men and a women/family shelter. City Union Mission is the only shelter in K.C. with infirmary beds for those who are ill or injured, and is the largest rescue mission in a 6-state area. Staff today includes 130 full-time and 35 part-time staff. The Mission now has three Second Chance Thrift Stores (first opened in Dec.1977-see timeline). July-August 2010 was the first year for City Camp.