Our History
Sam Reynolds was dedicated to providing a place where
transient and homeless men could find food, clothing and
shelter, and hear the message of salvation. His vision to
"rescue the perishing" was fulfilled in 1971 when Bessemer
Rescue Mission opened in a rented building on Fourth
Street. Rev. Gerald Price, a brick mason by trade, was
appointed the first chairman of the board.
With the help of his friends, Rev. Price constructed a
5,000-square-foot facility, which included a chapel, dining
room, kitchen, clothes closet and dorms to house 18 men.
During the next 20 years, the Mission expanded its
facilities to care for more homeless men and to meet
their increasingly complex needs. Then in 1992, a
duplex on Sixth Avenue was purchased to provide shelter
for homeless women.
December 1995, God called Rev. Bill and Michele Heintz to
pioneer a ministry for men and women addicted to drugs
and alcohol using the foundation laid at Bessemer Rescue
Mission. Bill became executive director of the Mission
January 1, 1996.
In 2004, the ministry was renamed The Foundry Rescue
Mission and Recovery Center. Today, this center of
transformation includes the Recovery Program, Re-Entry
Program, Worship Center, SuperThrift Outlet, Auto
Center, Community Outreach Center and Medical Center.
Every day, men and women find refuge and long-term
recovery in its innovative and Christ-centered programs.