Mission & History

In 1894, deeply concerned about the lack of pastoral care at various St. Louis City institutions, Charles Holmes, a lay person at Christ Church Cathedral, organized volunteers from the cathedral to minister at City Hospital, the City Jail, the City Workhouse, and the Asylum. Thus was born the House Missions, which was known under various names until it became Episcopal City Mission in the 1950s. With the establishment of juvenile facilities in the city, the ministry grew to include pastoral care for children.

Eventually, other Protestant denominations joined in this important ministry to those confined in the public institutions of St. Louis. In 1953, an ecumenical agreement was reached between several Protestant denominations resulting in the  formation of the Metropolitan Federation of Churches. Ministry to these institutions was then divided various denominations. The Episcopal Diocese chose to work with troubled youth and asked to continue the ministry to children in detention under the name of Episcopal City Mission (ECM). Our ministry to youth was firmly established in the Juvenile Detention Centers and recognized by the Family Court System. ECM became the agency authorized by the Court System to provide for the ongoing spiritual needs of detained children in St. Louis City and County.

Today, ECM remains strong in our commitment to providing chaplaincy to youth in the juvenile justice system. Our chaplains offer support, hope and healing at the St. Louis City and County Detention Centers. Since 2017, our chaplains also visit with youth who are certified as adults in the St. Louis City and County Justice Centers. Through the programs they offer and their caring, listening presence, ECM chaplains are the compassionate face of a loving God in the lives of the children we serve.