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

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
1951

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

1951 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
Stay tuned for more historical updates...

Stay tuned for more historical updates...

Winter Newsletter 2025-26

75th Anniversary Events

75th Anniversary Events

• LC Valley Celebration Event: April 30th, 2026
• Coeur d'Alene Celebration Event: May 7th, 2026
• Spokane Celebration Event: May 14th, 2026

Sponsoships, tickets, and additional information on these events will be available Spring 2026.

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