Who We Are History of UGM-TC

The Mission gets its start

In 1888, the rescue-mission movement reached Fort Worth and formed the Bethel Mission (also known as Union Bethel Mission), an enterprise begun by several downtown churches.

Charley Bryon, Missionary in charge of the Bethel Mission, becomes superintendent of a new Bethel Mission in Denison

This was a reflection of Charley and the Mission’s success. The Bethel movement had done so well in Fort Worth that a second mission was opened downtown and a new one launched in Denison.

Fort Worth’s population jumps to forty-two thousand, but Bethel Mission is not faring as well as the city

While still serving its original purpose, proclaiming the saving power of Jesus Christ and ministering to those in need, its organizational structure and support were floundering. Some of the most optimistic backers wondered if Bethel Mission would survive. That uncertainty was about to change.

Bethel Mission gets a fresh start and a new motto

It was during this year that the mission adopted its new name, Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County, and the motto, No creed but Christ; no law but love. A number of Fort Worth pastors and others interested in evangelistic work used this motto as their guide for a new organizational plan and the election of the first board of directors.

Union Gospel Mission relocates

By the end of the year the small quarters became so packed that the Mission relocated to a larger building one block away, at 1404 Main Street.

Union Gospel Mission relocates...again

In 1916 it became apparent that the 1404 Main Street location would not solve the Mission’s space problem. A capital campaign was begun to purchase a three-story stone building at Fourteenth and Main streets.

The mission dedicates a new chapel

The mission dedicated its new chapel with the largest crowd to date assembled in the building.

A new contract and another new building

A $100,000 contract had been let for the construction of a new, second mission building. It was to be built at the corner of Houston and Fifteenth streets. The building, with four stories plus a basement, was estimated to cost $150,000 and would raise the Mission’s total property value to $300,000.

The International Convention of Union Gospel Missions comes to town

This brought Leading officials of missions around the nation and Canada. Sam Mayfield, UGM-TC Superintendent, would act as host to the delegates. More than 200 delegates were in attendance and it soon became a whirlwind of activity, cheerleading, and goal setting.

One of the Mission’s most interesting volunteers arrives

Bill Russell, better known as Brother Bill had a flamboyant presence. His sermons, while varying in details, consistently contained Christian Themes he considered basic: rest for the weary, food for the hungry, comfort for the heart, light for those in darkness, restoration for the wayward, salvation for the lost, peace for those in turmoil, joy for the gloomy, hope for the despondent, and drink for the thirsty. Some weeks he preached 20 times.

The Mission expands to two new locations

Due to the number of troubled women and girls that were showing up at the door, the Mission established a women’s home at 7315 Ewing Street.
The Mission also purchased the property of the Baptist rescue mission at 1327 East Lancaster and converted it into a family center to meet the growing crisis of stranded, penniless families.

Creation of the Fort Worth Water Gardens and commitment of city leaders to beautify the area around the Mission

The Water Gardens filled an entire city block directly across the street from UGM-TC. Meanwhile, the Christ-centered work through the Mission continued.

The Star-Telegram reports news that UGM-TC will soon be demolished and moved to a new location

The Mission would now stand 7 blocks east of downtown on Lancaster Street. The Fort Worth Development Corporation sold the current property at this time and the proceeds applied to the new facility.

The Mission moves to its new home at 1331 East Lancaster

This is still the current location of the men’s building. Not only did the Mission’s location change, but also its effort to serve women was also in transition. Prior to the move, women were housed in rooms of a dilapidated hotel. Right after the move, the Mission purchased an old nightclub next door to the new facility. However, UGM-TC still had a long way to go before it could give adequate help to women.

UGM-TC bargain outlet gets the necessary facelift it has been waiting for

Besides getting the facelift that it needed, a new position was created – Bargain Outlet operations manager.

More construction begins to satisfy the growing needs at UGM-TC

The Mission’s population had increased throughout the 1980’s and new space became essential. Construction of an overflow shelter on the second floor of the warehouse building had been completed and passed inspection. Providing space for forty to forty-five beds had become a major project requiring entirely new electrical, water, and gas lines to replace the old, inadequate ones.

M. J. Neely announces plans to add sixteen studio apartments to the Mission, for elderly poor women

In Tarrant County, woman sixty-five or older were three times more likely to live alone than a man, with half the chance of being employed and more than twice as likely to be in poverty. The Star-Telegram referred to this project as an important precedent for this community.

UGM-TC holds the official dedication for McFadden Hall for Senior Women

Sixteen new apartments were ready to be occupied be the growing community of senior women in need of a safe place.

New changes and fresh strategies begin to be put in place by the new administrator, Don Shisler

The first step was simply to begin cleaning up. The facilities were disheveled and dirty. Mr. Shisler soon became convinced that a much more involved board of directors was the best way to make those changes happen.

Board members begin seeing the basic, God-centered work for the Mission change lives, including Linda Haywood’s life

Unable to find a place to live, Linda asked God where she should go. The answer was Union Gospel Mission, and in July, she moved into McFadden Hall. She said that room was exactly where she was supposed to be at that point in time. Being there allowed her to accept Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.

A direct mail approach is set in motion to combat fundraising challenge

The new plan proposed using no stock photos or stories and tailoring the mailings specifically to Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County. The campaign far exceeded expectations.

Publicity of UGM-TC becomes widespread as Same Kind of Different as Me becomes a New York Times bestseller

The book's influence was powerful, and it affected fundraising. Mission income was boosted dramatically as donations came in from around the nation. Same Kind of Different as Me not only gave UGM-TC attention but, even more important, increased public awareness of the many desperate, barely surviving Americans who did not know where their next meal or bed might be.

UGM-TC welcomes its first full-time Chaplain, Father Maneikis; Alpha course

One of Father Maneikis’s first steps was introducing the Alphacourse – a biblically based, fifteen – lesson study series, led by trained volunteers. This would soon become one of the foundation stones of a new spiritual growth emphasis at the Mission.

The Healing Shepherd Clinic (HSC), a much needed and innovative program, launches

The HSC relieved overcrowded hospital emergency rooms and provided treatment for a number of conditions common to the homeless, such as heart, liver and kidney disease, skin infections, pulmonary disease, diabetes, and hypertension.

The Mission celebrates its 125th birthday

Despite being 125 years of age, the mission looked newer than ever this year.

UGM-TC celebrates the dedication of the Scott Walker Women and Families Service building

The building has twenty-eight rooms for single women (double occupancy), twelve overnight-shelter beds for women, and five rooms for families and children. Also, to help deal with the growing number of homeless fathers, five rooms are devoted to homeless men with children.

Same Kind of Different as Me movie is released

Similar to the book’s release, the Same Kind of Different as Me movie brought a large wave of public awareness to the Mission. Starring Greg Kinnear, Renée Zellweger, Djimon Hounsou, and Jon Voight, this film put UGM-TC in both the national and international spotlight and brought in an entirely new donor base.

Don Shisler wins two prestigious awards in the same year

Because of his dedication to the community of Tarrant County, Don wins two prestigious awards, the Fort Worth Business Press Award for Top Nonprofit Executive and The Ben Franklin Award for Outstanding Professional Fundraising Executive.

The first tenants move into The Vineyard on Lancaster Apartments

To combat the lack of affordable housing in Tarrant County, The Vineyard on Lancaster Apartments are added to the Mission’s campus. These housing units are available to anyone on a sliding scale but also provide a next step for those graduating from our program.

Healing Shepherd Clinic moves to new facility

Located inside The Vineyard on Lancaster building, Healing Shepherd Clinic’s new location is a spacious and modern facility that provides quick medical access to UGM-TC residents and The Vineyard tenants.

Club 1401 is opened

By serving three nutritious meals a day, providing a heating and cooling station, and creating a safe environment where the unhoused can spend time during the day, we build rapport and trust with individuals experiencing homelessness and encourage them to come off the street to join the UGM-TC program.

UGM-TC hosts its ground breaking ceremony for The Community Outreach Center

This 27,260 square foot facility is set to open in 2023. The Center will house UGM-TC’s Donation Warehouse and provide a Vocational Training Program to give UGM-TC residents and individuals from the surrounding neighborhoods the resources to obtain fair-wage employment opportunities.