St.
John the Compassionate Mission opened its doors on January
30, 1987.
We first began by renting a small store on 53 Blake Street
in the middle of a densely populated Public Housing Project.
The opening day was an act of trust in God's desire to plant
a presence of Faith, Hope and Love in that needy neighbourhood.
53 Blake Street - 1987 to
1994
In 1995, after a period of being homeless for one year, we moved
out of Blake Street and with the help of friends, purchased a building
on Broadview Avenue. This place is large enough to accommodate all
our needs. All the renovation work in the building, including the
chapel, was done by volunteers.
"The belief here at
St John the Compassionate is the belief that each one is important,
whatever their situation. A community can't take in everyone but
it can become a sign, a sign that in this broken city there's a
place where people believe that love is possible." Jean
Vanier