WAMS was created in 1829 as the Evangelical City Missionary Society by Worcester industrialist and philanthropist Ichabod Washburn who was also a founder of Memorial Hospital, Mechanics Hall, and WPI. The Society's purpose was to furnish benevolent, spiritual, and educational aid to immigrants working on the Blackstone Canal.
In 1883 the organization was reincorporated as the Worcester City Missionary Society by the city's Congregationalist clergy and industrialists. Their purpose was to plant churches and provide benevolent services to immigrants arriving to work in the city's flourishing factories.
In 2001, the Worcester Area Mission Society became the first organization in the country to be recognized for 'best practice public ministry' by the National Council of Churches, the nation's largest ecumenical group.
Facts From the Modern History or WAMS |
- Sponsored the development of Colony Retirement Homes, a pioneer in the field of congregate care.
- Sponsored the first Habitat for Humanity program in Massachusetts at 55 King Street in Worcester.
- Developed the first housing program in the state for families with HIV/AIDS.
- Served as the lead institution in creating the Worcester Community Loan Fund which plays an indispensable role in developing housing and stabilizing neighborhoods.
- Organized the Worcester Housing Summit that created working relationships among the political, banking, and non-profit sectors that are used today to develop affordable housing.
- Organized the Greater Elm Park Project, the first comprehensive initiative in the country to be sponsored by a religious institution.
- Partnered with the Greater Worcester Community Foundation to establish the Neighborhood Forum gathering diverse persons and organizations to strengthen Worcester neighborhoods.
- Participated in the bi-partisan National Summit on Youth Violence in Washington D.C. following the Columbine shootings.
- Represented Central Massachusetts on the panel for a gubernatorial debate at Fanueil Hall.
- Led the housing task force for the Pathways to Progress initiative undertaken by leading Central Massachusetts institutions.
- Coordinated hurricane recovery efforts for the Massachusetts Conference following Katrina, leading construction and Teacher-to-Teacher teams.
For More Information About WAMS |
Minister for Mission and Service
The Rev. Robert Bachelder, Minister & President
128 Central Street
Auburn, Massachusetts 01501
Telephone: 508-832-3937
Email: minister@wamsucc.org
Mission Educator and WAYS Coordinator
The Rev. Nancy Shantia Wright-Gray
48 Main St.
Sterling, MA 01564
Telephone:
978-422-6256 Home
508-450-2001 Cell
Email: shantiawg@gmail.com
