Honolulu Gospel Mission Home

The Gospel Mission Home of Palolo Valley, Honolulu, Hawaii was founded by William E. Pietsch as a home for "unfortunate women and their children" initially in Kaimuki with one house, which expanded quickly to a second on Eighth Ave., both next to the "Pyramid", then obtained fifteen acres on the Quinn Ranch in Palolo Valley where, according to a 1917 article in the Honolulu Advertiser, he intended "to expand to his heart's content", the move was made on July 3, 1917 with 75 residents, including women and children.

It also indicated that it was working in conjunction with the juvenile court, associated charities and the board of health, the latter speculated to utilize it in its combat of TB. The local chamber of commerce had sponsored it with a gift of $5k ($120k in 2023). The original property had a dedication service on July 22, 1917, with a song service and Scripture recitations by the children, a "competitive patriotic song" between the boys and girls for possession of the flag, then a special song by several girls, then another by several boys, then a Chinese song, a Spanish song, an address of welcome by Pietsch, an address by Rev. John P. Erdman who gave a brief history of the home and its purpose, another address by J.L. Hopwood, etc.

There were sixty children (and thirteen women) moved to the newer location in 1917, with intention of accommodating forty more children living in the tradewind district. Nationalities numbered nine, with Puerto Ricans predominant. They were also serving 1400 meals per week. Cecil C. Martin was serving as boys' superintendent then, and Miss Neva Young, of Marengo, IA was expected. In 1918, Martin was directing the home during a 3-month leave of absence by Peitsch, and the director of the missions side was C.W. Herron. The largest salary at the home was $50, and the superintendent had no salary, dependent on support. Costs were running $5k/month. It was noted in 1919 as specializing in caring for children unable to be admitted to other institutions as they were relatively free of mental/health issues. The Home was closed in late Sept. 1919, with most children transferred to a Salvation Army home.

Founder

• William E. Pietsch +1917-1919

Superintendents

• Cecil C. Martin
• Sherman Lester Copeland (b. 1899 Chapman, Dickinson, KS - d. 1988 Riverside, CA), son of Edwin Robert Copeland (b. 1873 KS; m. 1891 Rhinehart Twp., Dickinson, KS; d. 1942 Glendale, CA) & Carolyne "Carrie" Elizabeth Thomas Copeland (b. 1864 New Haven, CT - d. 1955 L.A., CA).
  • From +1930-1940+ Sherman was employed with Shell Oil in Los Angeles, as a chief office clerk. He was also a correspondent +1962-1977+ at the Burbank Meeting Room. His widow Jeanette Jessie Johnson Sullivan-Copeland-Fiedler (b. 1904 Monroe, Jasper, IA - d. 2003 Hernando, Citrus, FL) was in fellowship in the mid-1990's at Cottonwood Meeting Room in Arizona.

• Neva Pearl Young Ferguson (b. 1902 La Porte City, Benton, IA - d. 1994 Waterloo, Black Hawk, IA), daughter of Leslie Clark Young (b. 1877 Mechanicsville, Cedar, IA - d. 1943 Waterloo, IA) & Clara Engledow Young (b. 1882 Cedar, Benton, IA - d. 1965 Waterloo, IA).
  • Husband (1920 @ Iowa City, IA): Dewey Ferguson (b. 1898 Benton Co., IA - d. 1978 Waterloo, IA), son of Jack Ferguson & Hattie Van Dyke Ferguson. Dewey was a body/fender repairman at Tate Cadillac Olds in Waterloo, retiring in 1969. Memorial for Dewey was at Bethel United Presb. Dewey's siblings: Byron (Vinton, IA), Clark (Vinton, IA), Guy Ferguson (Urbana, IA) & Mrs. Cecil Knoth (Phoenix, AZ). Children: Dale Ferguson, Mrs. Dale Miller, Mrs. Thomas Bland, Mrs. Betty Volgarino & Mrs. Ed Sergeant.

Missions

• C.W. Herron

Others

• J.L. Hopwood
• John P. Erdman

Sources

• Honolulu Advertiser via [Newspapers.com
• 1917, 1962-1977 TW LoG's