History

Wesley Mission Melbourne's heritage is founded on the response of Wesleyan Methodists in Victoria to the severe economic depression and associated inner city poverty of the early 1890s.

The Mission was established in 1893 on the same site it occupies today next to the Wesley Church in Lonsdale Street. At that time, the area was known as the 'back slums' of Melbourne and was notorious for opium dens, gambling houses and places of ill-repute.

The Mission's work was based on a concern for people in need, particularly those who were abused, addicted, homeless or impoverished; and a commitment to expressing God's love for all people by reaching out and supporting these groups.

From its establishment, the Mission became known for its outspoken advocacy for social reform as well as for the services it developed and delivered. Such advocacy was aimed at challenging the social systems that oppress and devalue those who are disadvantaged.

When the Uniting Church was formed in 1977, the Congregation of the Wesley Church and the Mission were formally designated as a parish mission and became known as the Wesley Central Parish Mission. The Mission became accountable to the Uniting Church through the Parish Council.

Tackling real problems

Over a history spanning 112 years, the Mission has been a force behind numerous initiatives to address the social ills of the day.

These have included support for women and children forced to work in sweatshop conditions in the clothing and furniture industries in the 1890s; support to the huge number of unemployed single men who found themselves drawn into Melbourne during the depression; and support for women's voting through many forums, including the influential Pleasant Sunday Afternoons (PSAs) which brought together a wide range of people in weekly social, political and evangelical discussion.

The Mission established a range of institutions which have supported single mothers, orphaned or abandoned children (most famously through the former Tally Ho Boys Home), helped victims of domestic violence, and provided support for alcoholics and work for unemployed people with special needs (under the motto: "Not charity, but a chance to work").

In more recent decades it has taken a lead role in establishing new types of services such as Lifeline Melbourne, Wesley Do Care, a home-visiting service for isolated frail aged people, and Wesley Kids Under Kanvas, a camping and activities program for children with disabilities – all established from the 1970s onwards.

Changing times, changing attitudes

As with most community service organisations, attitudes and values have shifted enormously over the past century or so, and the Mission has sought to move with the times and remain relevant to contemporary needs.

As part of the long-term trend toward greater professionalism, and a growing involvement in providing services funded by government, the Mission has undergone considerable reorganisation and restructure in recent years.

In October 2001, following a review of the governance and structure of the Mission by the Victorian Synod of the Uniting Church in 2000, the Mission was incorporated as a company limited by guarantee, pursuant to the provisions of Corporations Law. A new board of directors was appointed and new governance structures and processes put into place.

A Uniting Church Minister to the Mission provides a continuing link between the Uniting Church, the Wesley Congregation in Lonsdale Street and the Mission – now renamed Wesley Mission Melbourne.

Much has changed over the Mission's history, but the need for its services continues to increase.

The words of the Rev. Edgar in 1911 remain apt: "Because human nature is not just a simple thing, and because society is just as complex as the human nature of which it is composed, we cannot exactly tell where the beginning or the end of our work is."