City Mission History
170 Years of Caring for Tasmania
City Mission has been providing care and assistance to people experiencing hardship and disadvantage in our local community for 170 years.
The Launceston Town Mission was established in 1854 by way of a public meeting called by a few who believed that, “a large number of inhabitants of this town are living in neglect" and considered that this fact was a loud call for additional exertions on the part of the Christian public; “that an attempt should therefore be made to establish an institution similar to the London City Mission”.
The Mission has gone on from that day to become a well-known and respected organisation and has extended its work to include many areas where its people live out the Mission’s motto of, transforming lives in the name of Jesus.
When services were expanded to include North West Tasmania, to include a larger geographic area, wider than just the City of Launceston, its name was changed to 'City Mission' to be more inclusive. City Mission now works to transform lives in local communities in north and north west Tasmania; providing a helping hand to thousands experiencing hardship, providing a way forward and a brighter future.
City Mission now employs over 190 paid staff and more than 600 volunteers, who assist in carrying out the Mission.
1854: William Whitaker
William Whitaker was appointed as the first Launceston Town Missionary in March 1854, two months after the Mission was agreed upon.
He resigned in 1860 due to the continued ill health of a family member before serving a second term beginning in 1871.
Mr. Whitaker served a further four year before passing away in March 1875 at the age of 71.
1910: Wellington Street
In 1910 it was decided City Mission would rent the premises at 114-116 Wellington Street.
The building saw the establishment of the “Elsee-m” (LCM) home for men.
The objects of the home were to ensure no one was without a bed or meal while in the city, that needy elderly people might find comfortable board, and to provide casuals with a temporary shelter.
1917: Wellington Street Firewood
For many years the City Mission had a wood yard in Wellington Street near the site of the present Roelf Vos car park.
From at least as early as 1917, volunteers would send firewood by rail to Launceston to help those who were widows and fatherless due to World War 1.
1934: Inveresk Soup Kitchens
Following the Great Depression, City Missioner Alexander Menzies saw the opening of soup kitchens including premises at Russell Street Hall at Inveresk, and the corner of Dunning and Holbrook Streets Inveresk.
Many families could not afford to feed and clothe their children, so City Mission and these kitchens helped wherever possible.
1938: Albie Tapp
Albie Tapp served as City Mission’s caretaker and ran the Dunning Street soup kitchen with his wife Beatrice.
Albie cycled around Launceston distributing food and clothing from a sidecar attached to his bicycle to needy homes.
1942: Frederick Street Premises
In 1942 City Mission began occupying the Frederick Street Church for its church services along with other meetings and Sunday School.
With increased use, the building received new offices in 1953 and became a hub for the majority of operations.
More Frederick Street renovations came in 1973 when a new residential building and administrative headquarters opened as operations continued to grow. The building was also built to address there being a lack of emergency accommodation and pensioner residency options in the city.
1960: First Mission Shop
1960 is marked as one of City Mission’s biggest years as it marks the operations of the first ‘opportunity shop’ located on the corner of Frederick and Wellington streets.
The shop is still operating today and remained City Mission’s only shop until 1972 when another on Invermay Road was opened.