Wesley House Community Services - Historical Highlights

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Historical Highlights

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1903: Louisville Settlement Home started by the Woman’s Board of City Missions of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, at 834 East Jefferson St.

1908: Moved to larger quarters at 809 East Main St.; renamed Wesley House in memory of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism.

1909: Hosted one of the first well-baby clinics, then known as the Baby Milk Fund Association.

1910: First full-time worker employed to work with boys.

1917: Joined the Welfare League of Louisville, which later became the Community Chest and then Metro United Way.

1925: Moved to present location at 801-805 East Washington St.

1928: Gymnasium added.

1934: Held first summer camp program at Lake Louisvilla, Kentucky; known as Camp Merry Ledges

1944: New camp built at Lake Louisvilla due to burning of first building; new program started in house and camp.

1947: Extension program started for girls in adjoining neighborhood: Green Barn, then Grace Immanuel Church on Story Ave.

1952: Property given for playground at the corner of Franklin and Shelby streets.

1953: Playground opened; Wesley House celebrated its 50th anniversary.

1956: Forty-four acres of land bought for new camp near Corydon, Indiana.

1957: Extension program included coed teen groups.

1958: Lodge built at Camp Merry Ledges, named Howard Lodge in honor of Elizabeth Howard; membership in American Camping Association received.

1960: “Yellow Creek” day camp started; continued until 1971.

1964: Day care program started.

1965: Building at 809 East Washington St. purchased for program expansion.

1965-1967: Wesley House was delegate agency of the Community Action Program.

1965-1970: Vista, a domestic Peace Corps program, brought to Louisville through Wesley House.

1971: New River Front Lodge built at Camp Merry Ledges.

1972: Connector added between buildings at 805 and 809 East Washington St.

1973: Sponsored Knopp-Melton Recreation Center in south Louisville.

1976: Started “Project Work,” a program to help youth stay in school.

1977: Began Rocking Chair Years, a program for the homebound, elderly, and handicapped.

1980: Purchased property at 815 E. Washington St.; first used for Wesley Wear House, it then became Sunshine House for senior citizens and an apartment for staff.

1980: Wesley Wear House, a gently used clothing store, was begun by volunteers to provide financial support to Wesley House.

1983: Wesley Wear House moved to 743 East Washington St.

1984: Sold Knopp-Melton facility after city relocated residents.

1986: Edison House, where Thomas Edison lived in 1866, was sponsored by Wesley House; included a small museum and tearoom.

1989: Wesley Wear House moved to 1001 East Washington St.; building purchased with proceeds of Knopp-Melton sale.

1991: Changed name to Wesley House Community Services to reflect broader reach of services; youth program shifted focus from recreation to activities that addressed the changing needs of youth in the community.

1995: Youth Brigade Academy launched; mentoring program uses drill activities to teach discipline and personal responsibility.

1996: Started Violence Abatement Program, a school-based early-intervention program for at-risk youth.

1997: Stage in gymnasium converted to bi-level youth computer and learning center.

2002: Playground behind Wesley House redeveloped as Wesley United Community Park, which will serve as a common “backyard” for residents of the adjacent neighborhoods.

2002: Youth Program Academy’s “Rest in Peace Project” implemented

2002: Youth Brigade Academy’s True Love Waits Program implemented

2004: Promotional Informational Video developed

2005: Developed Externship Partnership with Spalding University School Leadership Education Program

2006: Established a partnership between the Youth Brigade Academy and Girls Growth and Development Program in Tamale, Ghana (Youth Brigade Academy-Tamale)

2006: Wesley Wear House moved to 1501 Story Avenue

2006: Wesley House Community Services moved to Preston Highway United Methodist Church at 5114 Preston Highway

2006: Sold the buildings at 803-813 E. and 1001 E. Washington Street