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A History of the Bread of Life Mission
The Bread of Life Mission has been in continuous operation since it was founded in January 1939.
A Look at Today
The Mission provides temporary facilities, a bed, food clothing, and a safe environment for those who are in need. Most of all the Bread of Life gives hope to those who are homeless. The Mission goes beyond the physical in offering an opportunity to make a life changing decision for Jesus Christ. A man can voluntarily become part of the program that sets before him goals which are implemented by encouragement, accountability, and education.
The Mission is non-denominational and is supported entirely by individuals, churches, businesses, and foundations that believe in giving Seattle's homeless hope. The BOLM is an integral part of the historic Pioneer Square community in downtown Seattle and partners with many community organizations to bring improvements to the whole community.
A View of Yesterday
The stage was being set for the First World War in Europe and America was slowly beginning to make its way out of the Great Depression. In the heart of downtown Seattle, a woman named Mrs. Sherman was ready to start helping others.
The original beginning of the Bread of Life was located in the basement of a building on Washington and Occidental. The Mission was founded by Mrs. Mavel Sherman in January of 1939 and times were difficult. There was a one week closure due to shortage of funds and poor health on the part of Mrs. Sherman only nine months after opening the Mission.
Sister Jennie Conrad was asked by Mrs. Sherman to take over the Mission. Upon her consent she was given five dollars and then told that the rent was due. Sister Jennie became the director in October 1939 and remained in that position for the next 35 years. Sister Jennie was born August 10th, 1891 in Holland. She began her social work with the Salvation Army and had worked all over the country before she came to the BOLM. She eventually would met and marry Jack O'Hara, a new Christian who was an "ex-alcoholic" in his words. He would come to the BOLM looking for some help and Sister Jennie gave him a good push in the right direction. He would serve as Co-Director for eighteen years. He was commonly known as the "Pal of Skid road." Together they lived a dedicated, consecrated and self-sacrificing life. Their only interest was the Mission and serving Christ by leading others to Him. They were largely responsible for the purchase of two buildings, a home in 1942 and a building in Pioneer Square in 1945 where the Bread of Life Mission is currently located. The Home was a subsidiary of the Mission and served to house advanced converts in their rehabilitation. Rev. O'Hara who had founded and purchased the home gave the title to the property to the Incorporation. The reason for this move is that Rev. O'Hara did not want the Christians or the public to think that interest in the Mission life was to selfishly make a personal material gain. Sister Jennie's answer to this gift, purposed by her husband Jack was this. "I'm not living for this world only. If that's what you would like to do, God's blessing be upon it." This action never did take place. However in many of the Board notes and other articles this was discussed as a possibility.
It was because the O'Hara's were being forced to move from rented quarters at Washington and Occidental they began to purchase the present Mission building. On February 9th 1944 a small savings fund was begun. A building committee was appointed and they stepped out on faith by making a payment of $1000.00 for the building on the corner of 1st and South Main. The Bread of Life Mission drew financial support from three principal sources at that time, rent from the hotel rooms in the building, offerings at the Mission services and donations from sponsors. Today, our support comes from individuals, churches, businesses, and various foundations.
What a blessed beginning for God's mission in downtown Seattle. There has been over the many years a number of dedicated people who have faithfully served as members of the Board.
The first recorded Board meeting was March 15th, 1945 at that time there were three Board members. In 1971 the number changed from three to nine. Today, the Board ranges from nine members to twelve. BOLM has come a long way.
There are blessings and stories to be told about every step of the last sixty six years. There are men and women who have given time, talents, and treasure to save a dying souls only to give all the glory to God. There is no greater history then this. We can only imagine what God has for the future.
A Look at the Tomorrow
The Bread of Life Mission has a dedicated staff, Executive Director and Board of Directors committed to furtherance of the Gospel by being actively involved in the Pioneer Square community and the lives of those who truly want to follow Christ by conversation and lifestyle.
In recent years, a lot of careful planning, prayer, and long hours has begun to bear fruit at the mission. In 2003, an ambitious new program was launched to help those in need. The Heroes Subs Program was begun to assist recent graduates from a recovery program to a transitional after-care program while teaching them real world skills. Several other programs are still on the drawing table but the Bread of Life Mission is proving that with God all things are possible.
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Inside the Mission