Relocation Information

Learn about City Gospel Mission’s relocation and new, state-of-the-art facilities, including the latest news and important messages for our donors and volunteers. We appreciate the Greater Cincinnati community’s ongoing support during this exciting time of transition.

The Cincinnati Enquirer: 'Plan moving forward’

Soapbox Cincinnati: 'Project builds facility, new chances'

"City Gospel Mission doesn’t just do the Lord’s work, it does the City and community’s work. We truly value the partnership we have formed with City Gospel Mission."
— Vice Mayor Roxanne Qualls

Our History

1924 — City Gospel Mission is founded by James N. Gamble of the Procter & Gamble Co., as a way to serve the homeless and hurting men and women through meals, shelter, recovery programs and chapel services. On August 3, City Gospel Mission officially opens its doors at 1314 Vine Street in downtown Cincinnati. Twenty-nine people attend the first service.

1943 — The Mission purchases a former church building at 1419 Elm Street in Over-the-Rhine. That remains the Mission’s headquarters today.

1968 — CURE (Christians United Reaching Everyone), a ministry to urban youth, is founded.  CURE rapidly grows to 66 weekly clubs involving about 900 children throughout the city.

1969 — Construction on a new addition to the City Gospel Mission building is complete. The new facility affords the Mission the opportunity to expand its services to better address the needs of the homeless. Room to house overnight guests is increased, and the drug and alcohol rehabilitation program is expanded.

1979 — A Greater Cincinnati Youth for Christ chapter is established.

1991 — CURE (Christians United Reaching Everyone) and Greater Cincinnati Youth for Christ merge into one organization called CityCURE, a non-profit ministry serving at-risk youth through one-to-one, relationship-based programs.

1998 — Having the Courage to Change, a women’s recovery program, officially becomes a ministry of City Gospel Mission.

2001 — City Gospel Mission and CityCURE merge, but still operate as two distinct organizations. City Ministries is formed as the umbrella brand of the two organizations, essentially giving one organization three names. This is the biggest of seven total mergers in the organization’s history. CityCURE president Roger Howell is named president over all of City Ministries and remains in that position today.

2005 — Whiz Kids tutoring and mentoring launches as a CityCURE program. The one-to-one, literacy-based program quickly develops into CityCURE’s flagship program.

2010 — After a three-year branding process, extensive marketing research reveals that the entire organization should merge under one name — City Gospel Mission. Thus, it is decided to dissolve the names City Ministries and CityCURE. City Gospel Mission continues to offer all of its adult and youth programs and services.