Our History

We have a long history of work in the inner city of Chicago. We were founded in 1905 by Moody Bible Church, as a mission for unwed mothers. On September 16, 2005, Sunshine celebrated its 100th birthday! In the intervening period, we have served as:

1912-1918 as a rescue mission, known as Moody Mission
1918-1941 as an interdenominational inner-city ministry known as Sunshine Gospel Mission
1941-1974 as an inner-city mens, youth and music ministry, which became known as "Chicago's Musical Mission"
1974-2001 as a youth-centered mission within Chicago's Cabrini Green housing project
2001- Today as we continue many of our relationships with friends on the near northside, but have moved to the Woodlawn community of Chicago's south side, as the Cabrini neighborhood has undergone extensive redevelopment.

We operate from a nearly completed new facility, which was formerly six storefronts at 500 E. 61st Street and pursue four strategic initiatives: youth outreach, community digital resources center, and Bridge Builders - an urban immersion experience aimed at college-aged students.

Watch Sunshine Gospel Ministries Executive Director, Joel Hamernick talk about the history of the organization below.