City Union Mission History
"I never did ask God for the easy way."
-- Rev. David B. Bulkley
David Bulkley, 1918. YMCA Chaplain in World War One
According to David Bulkley, the derelict men of Kansas City were simply "God's human sparrows." A reporter from the Kansas City Star in 1934, described the Bulkley's soup line guests as "men staggering to their feet from all sorts of knock-out blows, men who had lost heart in the battle of life ... beaten men."
Rev. Bulkley and daughter Ruth, 1935
As the years passed, Mrs. Bulkley became acquainted with another "queen of the red light." At 92, Annie Chambers, in 1934, was the owner of what had been Kansas City's finest and most elegant "palace of sin." For decades, she had run her resort, protected by police and businessmen, until prohibition and a crackdown on prostitution closed her down. Now, almost penniless, Annie supported herself by giving tours of her decaying brothel to anyone interested.
David Bulkley (right of 2nd pillar) at Mission Christmas dinner in early 1930s
The friendship between the Bulkleys and the lonely former Madame grew. She shared her life story with them; they shared the gospel with her. Soon after giving her heart to the Lord, she deeded her home to City Union Mission. "I have been thinking lately that there are many women who need just such love and sympathy to save them," she told the Bulkleys. "I want to give you this big house of mine for that purpose." With the acquisition of this property and finally, the Eva Prince mansion, the Bulkeys began ministries to men, women and children that reach "God's human sparrows" even today with the same vital, life-changing information of God's love and sacrifice for them.
