65 Years of St Mary’s House of Welcome

We are proud to announce this year marks the 65th anniversary of St Mary’s House of Welcome.  For many years prior to 1960, men who were homeless and disadvantaged lined up outside St Vincent’s Hall in Fitzroy to receive a sandwich from our founders, the Daughters of Charity, at lunch time. The Daughters were never satisfied with this make-shift service and longed to have a Centre to which these men could be invited to be served a meal with dignity.

As a result, St Mary’s House of Welcome was opened on the 30th May 1960 to assist homeless and disadvantaged men in Fitzroy.

The initial building at 167 Brunswick Street (which now constitutes half of our premises), provided a kitchen and dining room, clothing storage, office space, shower facilities for men and bathing and clinic facilities. On the first day of operation, over 90 men were served a lunch of soup, sandwiches and tea. Within a year, more than 250 people were arriving each day for lunch.

Today – 65 years later - St Mary's House of Welcome provides essential basic services, vital psycho-social and program supports, and crisis interventions and referrals to hundreds of men and women who are homeless and experiencing poverty, severe and persistent mental health issues, and those who are extremely isolated and socially marginalised.

Over the years, thousands and thousands of men and women have been welcomed through our doors, and have been supported to find hope, experience belongingness, and to achieve their full potential.

Visit our history page to learn more about how our work has evolved over the years.