Memory Bank: Speaking outside Wheeler Mission in 1921

A speaker addresses a crowd outside of Wheeler Rescue Mission (now known as Wheeler Mission Ministries) on East Wabash Street in 1921. Wheeler Mission was founded in 1893 under the name Door of Hope and led by William V. Wheeler, a hardware salesman who volunteered his time. After his death, the name was changed to Wheeler Rescue Mission and later Wheeler Mission Ministries. It was one of Indianapolis’ first charitable operations that created programs to help the poor develop a sense of self-sufficiency. Today, Wheeler Mission is the largest and oldest continuously operating ministry of its kind in the state, with nine locations, an $11 million budget and more than 180 employees.

Sources: Indiana Historical Society, Wheeler Mission Ministries

Credit: The photo is courtesy of the Indiana Historical Society and is part of the W.H. Bass Photo Company collection. More images are available at images.indianahistory.org.