History

During the late 1800's, a group of Baptist fellowships united to form ministry partnerships in East St. Louis.  Efforts included service to the poor, English language training, rehabilitation services, and education for minorities. One significant institution established was the famed Howe Institute, a school with its curriculum modeled after those learning institutes founded by Booker T. Washington that emphasized vocational training and production. The Howe Institute was the impetus for the later formation of Lincoln High School. Later, this coalition of churches formed an association that among other things founded the Rescue Mission on Collinsville Avenue.

In 1950, the association bought property at 540 North Sixth Street, and operated the Baptist Goodwill Center. The Center provided day care services and after school programs for children. In the mid-seventies, a fire gutted the building. During the time of rebuilding, Catholic Urban Programs bought a school across the street and restarted day care in the community. Not wanting to duplicate services, and at the request of the city's administration, this association reopened the facility under the name Christian Activity Center, and concentrated ministry efforts towards school age children, youth, and their families.

In 1990, the Christian Activity Center began an aggressive campaign to upgrade services, the facility, and establish long-term strategies to meet the needs of the community. The United Parcel Service Foundation helped kick off capital projects with a grant for $100,000.00, which allowed for the addition of a gymnasium. The Millis Family provided funding for interior work, and a host of churches provided work teams and labor to stretch each dollar. Community Development Block grants provided funds for the gym floor and the result is a beautiful and safe facility used by hundreds of children, youth, and adults each week. The Home Mission Board provided funds for a second floor addition and again, churches, civic groups, and corporations provided labor and material for the completion of new classrooms, an education lab. and apartment space for student interns.

Thanks to the gracious assistance of many, other improvements include new flooring, updated and efficient heating and cooling systems, an expanded kitchen, new plumbing, and additional, accessible restrooms.

There have been improvements in programs as well. Relationships have developed between the Center and area colleges and universities. McKendree College has been involved with programs the past ten years, providing recreation programming, arts and craft classes, non-violence training, Urban Plunge events, and other assistance. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville provide student teachers for our daily tutoring and homework assistance programs, and Greenville College provides weekly classes for age specific groups. Each year, many college students from across the nation come for short-term programs, some for weeklong urban experience, others as summer or semester interns.

The Center has received staffing assistance from grants from the Illinois Baptist Association, the Greater East St. Louis Youth Federation, and gifts from both the Deaconess Foundation and the Incarnate Word Foundation.

We are also grateful for the generosity of the St. Louis Rams Foundation, the Missouri Athletic Club, the Concord Village Lions Club, and the Eckert Family. Funding from the East St. Louis Housing Authority has enabled us to develop and implement our Youth Leadership Program the past years with great success. These and others have been part of our recent history as we seek to meet the needs of today and prepare for service in the future.