Water Street Mission

Water Street Mission (also known as Water Street Ministries) is a Christian nonprofit organization based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, dedicated to serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness, poverty, and marginalization. Founded in 1905 by Dr. Ezra Sieber and his wife as a small gathering in a downtown Lancaster row home, the mission has grown into a comprehensive service provider offering emergency shelter, meals, recuperative care, and long-term restoration programs. Its stated mission is to walk with neighbors in need, trusting God to transform lives and restore hope. The organization operates a range of services including temporary shelter for families, meals for the hungry, and specialized care such as recuperative care for individuals recovering from illness. It also provides spiritual support, community partnership, and resources for the church. Water Street Mission is recognized by the state of Pennsylvania as an official organization, with its charter signed in 1917 to advance the Kingdom of God through the gospel of Jesus Christ by providing rescue services. Water Street Mission is led by President Jack Crowley and is supported by donations, monthly giving programs, and community partners. It publishes annual reports to demonstrate accountability and impact. The mission remains rooted in its core values of dependence on God, partnership with community, grace as a model, service to the church, and authenticity in relationships. Through its podcast and impact stories, it shares insights into homelessness and the transformative work being done in Lancaster.

Water Street Mission began in May 1905 when Dr. Ezra Sieber and his wife started a small group for people living in downtown Lancaster to gather and discuss God's redeeming story. They met in Ms. Sarah Kuhns' row home on the southwest side of the city. During one of the Sunday evening meetings, Ms. Kuhns committed her life to Jesus Christ and began living a changed life. In 1916, the small group grew and began meeting the needs of the homeless and hungry in Lancaster, opening a temporary shelter for families. Meals were 10 cents for those who could pay and free for those who couldn't. This decade also saw women provided shelter at the Mission. In 1917, the state of Pennsylvania recognized Water Street Rescue Mission as an official organization. The charter was signed making the purpose of the Mission officially: "To advance the Kingdom of God through the gospel of Jesus Christ by providing rescue..." Over the decades, Water Street Mission expanded its services to include emergency shelter, meals, recuperative care, and long-term restoration programs. It became known as Water Street Ministries, reflecting its broader scope. The organization continues to operate in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, serving thousands of individuals and families each year through Christ-centered care. Its core values remain dependence on God, partnership with community, grace as a model, service to the church, and authenticity in relationships.

• 1917

  Pennsylvania recognizes Water Street Rescue Mission as an official organization.

• 1916

  The group opens a temporary shelter for families and begins serving meals.

• 1905

  Dr. Ezra Sieber and his wife begin a small group in downtown Lancaster.

A Christ-centered ministry providing holistic care and restoration for people experiencing homelessness and poverty in Lancaster, PA.

Product categories. Emergency shelter · Meals · Recuperative care · Long-term restoration programs · Spiritual support

1. 1Water Street Mission | Restoring Lives - Water Street Mission | Serving Lancaster, PAwsm.org
2. 2Our History - Water Street Mission | Serving Lancaster, PAwsm.org
3. 3Who We are - Water Street Mission | Serving Lancaster, PAwsm.org
4. 4Podcast - Water Street Mission | Serving Lancaster, PAwsm.org
5. 5Water Street Ministries - Wikidatawikidata.org