A BRIEF HISTORY

The Star Gospel Mission began in 1904 and consequently predates all other Christian welfare organizations in the Port City. For a century it has been a landmark beacon of light for the weary of body, mind and spirit.

The story of how the Mission got its name is one that gives it a strong identity with Charleston. It was established in the old Star Vaudeville Theater which was closed by the city fathers because of the undesirable element associated with it.

Obadiah Dugan founded the Mission after petitioning the mayor to let him use the old Star Theater as a shelter for homeless people. Following a dramatic religious conversion, Dugan determined that he would devote the rest of his life to serving people who needed spiritual, psychological and physical help. He made arrangements to use the theater for revival meetings, and on Sunday, April 24, 1904, more than 500 attended the first worship service there.

Dugan's heart went out to the poor, homeless and disen-franchised men and boys of the city. He invited them to sleep in the old theater because they had no other place to stay. After continuing his mission work at the Star Theater for 16 years, Dugan acquired the abandoned Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church building at 474 Meeting Street, which is where the Star Gospel Mission has been located ever since.
Following Obadiah's death in 1936, his son, The Rev. Ernest Dugan, a Methodist minister, continued operating the Mission. When Ernest retired in 1973, a third generation Dugan, Ernest, Jr., also a Methodist minister, became superintendent.

Ernest Jr. retired in 1986, bringing the legacy of the Dugan family's 86 years of leadership to a close. Under the direction of a board of directors, and with the leadership of J. Douglas Donehue, the work of the Mission has continued to the present day.

Hurricane Hugo dealt the Mission a near fatal blow in 1989, destroying the Meeting Street facility along with the beach cottage and summer camp on Sullivan's Island. A ground swell of support came from a variety of sources in Charleston and beyond. A new building at the same location now houses the Mission. Future plans call for the expansion of this facility with the addition of a separate chapel, dining hall, another dormitory, lavatory and storage space.

The Star Gospel Mission intends to keep its doors open to all persons in crisis and need, providing food, clothing, shelter and spiritual guidance so long as it continues to receive generous and necessary financial support from the good people in the Charleston area and throughout the country. The Board of Directors is keeping faith with the founder of the Mission by providing help to the needy and sharing the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with all those who come through its doors.