75 Years | UGM

Celebrating 75 years of Faithfulness

Join us as we celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Union Gospel Mission of the Inland Northwest. Established in Spokane, WA in 1951, UGM is one of the oldest non-profits in the area and is a pioneer in serving those struggling with homelessness and addiction in our communities. As 2026 unfolds, we will look at UGM’s remarkable history and how God has used a humble mission to transform many lives across the Inland Northwest. Please continue to visit this page to learn about our journey and upcoming community events as we celebrate.

Celebrate with us! - Phil Altmeyer, UGM CEO

If you would like to help us celebrate “75 Years of Faithfulness” with a special donation, please use the form below. This form is already set to our 75th Celebration giving, and you can edit the donation amount as you see fit.

Thank you for your support.

1944

In 1944, Bonnie Martin, moved by compassion for those she saw on the streets of Spokane, felt called to bring hope. This mother of six acquired a small room on Trent Avenue and single-handedly opened the Pacific Coast Mission. In August of 1951, Bonnie Martin officially entrusted her humble mission to the National Union Gospel Mission Board.

Pacific Coast Mission

Bonnie Martin pictured

1944 Pacific Coast Mission

In 1944, Bonnie Martin, moved by compassion for those she saw on the streets of Spokane, felt called to bring hope. This mother of six acquired a small room on Trent Avenue and single-handedly opened the Pacific Coast Mission. In August of 1951, Bonnie Martin officially entrusted her humble mission to the National Union Gospel Mission Board.

Bonnie Martin pictured
1951

Across the nation, Dr. Peter MacFarlane, involved with UGM Minneapolis, aimed to inspire other cities to establish their own Union Gospel Mission. While visiting Spokane, he met successful local businessman Albert Arend and encouraged him to organize a mission.

Spokane, WA

Albert Arend and Dr. Peter MacFarlane pictured

1951 Spokane, WA

Across the nation, Dr. Peter MacFarlane, involved with UGM Minneapolis, aimed to inspire other cities to establish their own Union Gospel Mission. While visiting Spokane, he met successful local businessman Albert Arend and encouraged him to organize a mission.

Albert Arend and Dr. Peter MacFarlane pictured
1951

Albert Arend brought together sixteen colleagues and friends for a dinner at the famed Oasis restaurant, during which James Wahlbrink, a former alcoholic, delivered a compelling testimony about his experience and transformation at another Northwest mission several years earlier. When Arend asked who would be willing to serve on a Board of Trustees for a new Union Gospel Mission serving Spokane, every man present raised his hand.

UGM Established

Founder Members of UGM of Spokane

1951 UGM Established

Albert Arend brought together sixteen colleagues and friends for a dinner at the famed Oasis restaurant, during which James Wahlbrink, a former alcoholic, delivered a compelling testimony about his experience and transformation at another Northwest mission several years earlier. When Arend asked who would be willing to serve on a Board of Trustees for a new Union Gospel Mission serving Spokane, every man present raised his hand.

Founder Members of UGM of Spokane
1952

In his first year as superintendent, Willard Clark located a three-story red-brick apartment building at Browne and Trent that would allow the mission to grow. With only $28 in the coffers, the board purchased the $68k building, believing God would provide. Remarkably, within 10 days, the community raised $20,000 and sold bonds, enabling Clark to begin renovations.

Browne and Trent

Willard & Mary Clark Pictured

1952 Browne and Trent

In his first year as superintendent, Willard Clark located a three-story red-brick apartment building at Browne and Trent that would allow the mission to grow. With only $28 in the coffers, the board purchased the $68k building, believing God would provide. Remarkably, within 10 days, the community raised $20,000 and sold bonds, enabling Clark to begin renovations.

Willard & Mary Clark Pictured
1952

On November 23, 1952, over 300 people gathered to celebrate the new facility. Former Whitworth College president, Frank Warren, delivered an inspiring gospel message, followed by a tour of the mission. Many people were deeply moved and generously supported this new work in Spokane.

300 people gathered

UGM Dedication Ceremony

1952 300 people gathered

On November 23, 1952, over 300 people gathered to celebrate the new facility. Former Whitworth College president, Frank Warren, delivered an inspiring gospel message, followed by a tour of the mission. Many people were deeply moved and generously supported this new work in Spokane.

UGM Dedication Ceremony
1954

In 1954, Ellen Funseth, who had founded the Women's Auxiliary, welcomed many women into her home who shared a common concern for the homeless. What began as a small quarterly gathering of steadfast, determined, and compassionate women became an extraordinary movement accomplishing many projects through prayer, action, and generosity.

Women's Auxiliary

Willard Clark, Albert Arend, & Ellen Funseth

1954 Women's Auxiliary

In 1954, Ellen Funseth, who had founded the Women's Auxiliary, welcomed many women into her home who shared a common concern for the homeless. What began as a small quarterly gathering of steadfast, determined, and compassionate women became an extraordinary movement accomplishing many projects through prayer, action, and generosity.

Willard Clark, Albert Arend, & Ellen Funseth
1966

Director John Peterson took on one of the Mission's most urgent projects: helping women and children who were enduring life on the streets due to poverty, substance abuse, and domestic violence. As the landscape of the homeless community changed, UGM realized it was no longer just men facing homelessness.

Women and Children

The changing faces of the homeless

1966 Women and Children

Director John Peterson took on one of the Mission's most urgent projects: helping women and children who were enduring life on the streets due to poverty, substance abuse, and domestic violence. As the landscape of the homeless community changed, UGM realized it was no longer just men facing homelessness.

The changing faces of the homeless
1971

In 1971, UGM opened Spokane's first women and children's shelter in a former nurse’s home within the old St. Luke’s hospital complex. At that time, the Ogden Trust was liquidating its funds. When UGM applied for support, they discovered that the trust had almost been depleted, with only about $33,000 left to donate. This amount was just enough to purchase the building and begin renovations in partnership with the Comstock Foundation.

Anna Ogden Hall

Anna Ogden Hall Est. 1971

1971 Anna Ogden Hall

In 1971, UGM opened Spokane's first women and children's shelter in a former nurse’s home within the old St. Luke’s hospital complex. At that time, the Ogden Trust was liquidating its funds. When UGM applied for support, they discovered that the trust had almost been depleted, with only about $33,000 left to donate. This amount was just enough to purchase the building and begin renovations in partnership with the Comstock Foundation.

Anna Ogden Hall Est. 1971
1974

The UGM Jail Ministry was established in the early 1970s. This ministry was started by Ken Farmer, who regularly traveled to Walla Walla and the Spokane County Jail to minister to inmates and encourage them to seek support from the mission after their release.

UGM Jail Ministry

Kenneth Farmer ministering to Inmates

1974 UGM Jail Ministry

The UGM Jail Ministry was established in the early 1970s. This ministry was started by Ken Farmer, who regularly traveled to Walla Walla and the Spokane County Jail to minister to inmates and encourage them to seek support from the mission after their release.

Kenneth Farmer ministering to Inmates
1977

Harry and Earline Altmeyer devoted decades to UGM through volunteer work, chapel ministry, and board service. Their leadership and dedication made them the right choice to guide the Mission. Harry’s involvement began in the 1950s and culminated with his appointment as Executive Director in 1977.

The Altmeyer Era Begins

Harry and Earline Altmeyer pictured

1977 The Altmeyer Era Begins

Harry and Earline Altmeyer devoted decades to UGM through volunteer work, chapel ministry, and board service. Their leadership and dedication made them the right choice to guide the Mission. Harry’s involvement began in the 1950s and culminated with his appointment as Executive Director in 1977.

Harry and Earline Altmeyer pictured
1987

As Harry neared retirement, the board began searching for new leadership. Harry approached his son Phil, who was then working with Campus Crusade for Christ. Phil interviewed with the board, was enthusiastically hired, and moved to Spokane to work alongside his father for a year before taking over as executive director in 1987.

The Altmeyer Era Continues

Phil Altmeyer Steps Into Leadership

1987 The Altmeyer Era Continues

As Harry neared retirement, the board began searching for new leadership. Harry approached his son Phil, who was then working with Campus Crusade for Christ. Phil interviewed with the board, was enthusiastically hired, and moved to Spokane to work alongside his father for a year before taking over as executive director in 1987.

Phil Altmeyer Steps Into Leadership
1987

Spokane County Juvenile Detention Religious Program Director, Danny Beard was familiar with UGM and Phil’s vision for the youth. As Phil’s first hire, Danny joined UGM staff full‑time in 1987 and served in nearly every part of the ministry: chaplain, counselor, camp director, intake officer, program manager, and more.

UGM Staff Growth

Danny Beard pictured

1987 UGM Staff Growth

Spokane County Juvenile Detention Religious Program Director, Danny Beard was familiar with UGM and Phil’s vision for the youth. As Phil’s first hire, Danny joined UGM staff full‑time in 1987 and served in nearly every part of the ministry: chaplain, counselor, camp director, intake officer, program manager, and more.

Danny Beard pictured
1988

In 1988, Phil hired Dave Wall as his Operations Manager. Dave became one of the Mission’s earliest storytellers, capturing the daily realities, quiet miracles, and hard-won transformations happening inside UGM. His storytelling, grant writing, and early media efforts impacted many lives and laid the foundation for UGM’s communications and development efforts.

UGM Staff Growth

Dave and Becky Wall pictured

1988 UGM Staff Growth

In 1988, Phil hired Dave Wall as his Operations Manager. Dave became one of the Mission’s earliest storytellers, capturing the daily realities, quiet miracles, and hard-won transformations happening inside UGM. His storytelling, grant writing, and early media efforts impacted many lives and laid the foundation for UGM’s communications and development efforts.

Dave and Becky Wall pictured
1989

By 1989, homelessness and addiction in Spokane had increased, straining the Mission’s resources and forcing men to sleep on floors and meals to be served in shifts. In 1990, the Mission relocated to a renovated Trent and Hamilton facility, tripling its service capacity. This Spokane River site remains the Union Gospel Mission main campus today.

The Big Move

The UGM Campus Expansion Story

1989 The Big Move

By 1989, homelessness and addiction in Spokane had increased, straining the Mission’s resources and forcing men to sleep on floors and meals to be served in shifts. In 1990, the Mission relocated to a renovated Trent and Hamilton facility, tripling its service capacity. This Spokane River site remains the Union Gospel Mission main campus today.

The UGM Campus Expansion Story
1991

In 1991, retired businessman Dick Shanks offered UGM a significantly discounted deal on his riverfront property, which would serve as the permanent site for UGM Camp. Shanks lived to see thousands of children experience the gospel and the outdoor life, thanks to his generosity.

UGM Camp

Dick and Lillian Shanks pictured

1991 UGM Camp

In 1991, retired businessman Dick Shanks offered UGM a significantly discounted deal on his riverfront property, which would serve as the permanent site for UGM Camp. Shanks lived to see thousands of children experience the gospel and the outdoor life, thanks to his generosity.

Dick and Lillian Shanks pictured
1996

By the mid-1990s, violence and drug problems in Spokane filled the women’s shelter to capacity. The UGM board expanded Anna Ogden Hall on October 11, 1996, adding space for children’s programs and transitional housing for women and families.

A.O.H Expansion

Women’s Shelter Expansion (1996)

1996 A.O.H Expansion

By the mid-1990s, violence and drug problems in Spokane filled the women’s shelter to capacity. The UGM board expanded Anna Ogden Hall on October 11, 1996, adding space for children’s programs and transitional housing for women and families.

Women’s Shelter Expansion (1996)
Stay tuned for more historical updates...

Stay tuned for more historical updates...

Winter Newsletter
2025-26

Spring Newsletter
2026

Pray 75th Event

Dan Johnson 75th Event

Phil & Garry 75th Event

Candid 75th Event

Selfie 75th Event

Mike 75th Event

Phil award 75th Event

Music 75th Event

Candid couple 75th Event

Jeremy 75th Event

Photoboth 75th Event

Catthy 75th Event

Danny 75th Event

Crowd 75th Event

Emily Oslon 75th Event

Gwen 75th Event

Dinner 75th Event

UGM Thrift Stores

UGM Motors

UGM Warehouse

Legacy Giving