Our History                                                        

Neighborhood Ministries began as a part of the settlement house movement in the early 19th century. The pastor of a church in Campbell, Ohio wanted to have Bible studies for immigrants who had come to the area to work in the steel mills. Many of the immigrants did not speak English, so the ministry included English classes. Over the years the ministry developed and changed, starting with Bethel House I, followed by Bethel House II. Later on the ministry name changed again to Campbell Christian Center and expanded to two sites in Campbell, the Bethel and the Neighborhood House.

In 1967 a housing development was built in Campbell and the ministry, then named Neighborhood Ministries, began outreach to families moving into the development. As programs and funding grew, a second center was started in 1984 in the community center of a second housing development on the east side of Youngstown, Ohio. In 2003 a third center was started as a job training and outreach site on the south side of Youngstown. A 4th center was added in 2009 in partnership with West Side Baptist Church in Youngstown, Ohio and Calvary Baptist Church in Boardman, Ohio.

Over the years the ministry has changed names and acquired locations, but the purpose has been the same: to share the love of Christ with children and families living in challenging neighborhoods and situations.