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. |