The 1850s. A time of great need.

In a district of New York City that in the 1850's was classified as a “destitute field” and described as a place where “many inducements were held out to seduce the young to sin and misery,” where “dance-houses, gambling dens, drinking saloons, and palaces of infamy” were common and, “whose emissaries were to be found on almost every street corner,” there sits a chapel in need of repair.

It was not always so. Founded in 1855, two years before the prayer revival of Jeremiah Lanphier, the halls were filled. At its peak, as many as 1000 children filled its corridors, but as the years wore on and the fires of revival died away, the structure, described by some as “charming and picturesque,” fell into disrepair. Sitting for years, mostly forgotten and unnoticed, this historic monument to an age gone by is once again serving the cause of Christ in a way similar to that of a bygone era.

The New York Gospel Mission has begun repairing the building's leaky ceiling and cracking plaster walls in expectation of the day, soon coming, when this magnificent testimony to the Grace of God in a needy city will, once again, reverberate with the sound of hundreds of voices lifting high the praise of the Savior.

The food ministry.

Last year saw the distribution of a staggering 3 million dollars worth of food. The Mission continues to conduct food and literature distributions to hungry souls as often as seven times each week. The need is still great but the building is not yet ready, so the sidewalk in front is serving as the place for preaching and distribution. Inclement weather and the inability to use amplification for sidewalk preaching are spurring the effort on to complete the repairs, but help is needed.

Hundreds line up each day to receive the food distributions and hear the Gospel preached. The revival that burst upon the scene in New York of the 1850's was begun with a single man's desire to pray. Could it be so again? The needs in this section of New York are just as great today as they were then, the fields are still white unto harvest but the laborers are few and resources are needed. You can help.

The present need and how you can help.

• Pray that the Lord of the harvest would greatly bless this work.
• Consider giving financially to help with the ongoing renovation of this strategically placed building in Midtown Manhattan.
• Consider taking a mission team to help with the work of street outreach and food ministry to needy souls.
• If you are a skilled tradesman consider donating your time to help repair the building so the ministry already taking place can be carried on more effectively.