1955-1965

The 1950s marked the beginning of community service activities and recreational programs occurring in the basement of the Wesley United Church, located on the corner of Rebecca and John Street, in the heart of Hamilton's downtown core, an area experiencing growing poverty. In 1955, United Church members from the Hamilton Presbytery began an outreach program, including a Sunday afternoon tea, for elderly individuals living with low incomes. In the late 50s, when the congregation of the Wesley United Church had found a new home, the social service programs at the church facility continued through a combined effort by area United Church members. These church volunteers and donors were the passion behind the programming, moved by the evident need for such services and a genuine desire to learn from and help those most marginalized in their community. In the early 60s, these operations became a major focus for outreach work within the Hamilton Presbytery. In 1964, the local Mission Council formalized this work with the creation of the first Wesley Centre Board of Directors with a mandate to serve those facing the realities of poverty in the inner city.

1965-1975

Momentum gained as Wesley's programs expanded into a wide range of services for all people, young and old, who were struggling under the burden of poverty. In the late 60s, Wesley's programs were well underway including a club for seniors and transient men, a drop in and tutoring program for hard-to-reach youth, a youth recreation program and camping trip, a used clothing depot, a nursery and mother's club, as well as Christmas and holiday celebrations. A community meal was also served after the church service, and area church groups began signing up to prepare and serve meals on Sunday.

1975-1985

In the mid 70s, visionary leaders within the Hamilton Presbytery came together to determine Wesley's role and future concerning mission work in Hamilton's inner-city. As a result, Wesley Urban Ministries became an incorporated body in 1979. In 1981, Wesley expanded community programming into a second downtown neighbourhood location. However, the challenge remained to find a new location for its expanding programs for the homeless, as the Wesley United Church facility was steadily declining. After a temporary two year stay in a downtown United church's basement, Wesley found a new home at 129 Rebecca Street in 1984.

1985-1995

Partnerships between Wesley and other groups and organizations flourished from the mid 80s onward. Wesley collaborated with many different community agencies and government bodies and became further involved in the areas of health, housing, language, literacy, settlement, immigration, and recreation. In 1990, Wesley moved into a third location in Hamilton's north end, responding to the needs of people in the neighbourhood who were financially or otherwise marginalized. Strategic fundraising became a focus in the 90s, as the demand for Wesley's services placed a higher demand on Wesley's resources; in 1992 and 1993, Wesley began two major annual fundraising events. By the late 90s, Wesley's partnerships had formed Hamilton's first downtown health centre, a full community centre in the north end, and an organization whose sole focus was the creation and maintenance of affordable housing.

1995-2000

Wesley's programming had again outgrown its existing location and, in 1996, moved to 195 Ferguson Avenue North. This new location included a Wesley housing project to respond to the needs of Hamilton's hardest to house. Just four years later, Wesley announced Hamilton's first and only 24-hour emergency services drop in and shelter with on-site resources to help people realize long-term solutions to homelessness. Wesley's programming for street involved youth also branched off into separate locations from the adult shelter environment, and Wesley added employment and education programs to existing locations. By 2005, Wesley was operating over a dozen programs from six locations in Hamilton in the following areas: shelter, homelessness, and emergency services; child, youth, and family programs; and employment, education, health, and housing services.

2000 - Present

Coming Soon