The seeds of the City Rescue Mission were first planted during a spiritually exciting time in New Castle, Pennsylvania. Billy Sunday, a former major league baseball player and leading evangelist of his time, had a crusade in New Castle from September 18, 1910 to October 31, 1910. When Billy Sunday came to any town, he usually drew a big crowd.

A special tabernacle was built – called The Arena – on Grove Street in New Castle for the event. Approximately 7,000 filled the tabernacle on the first Sunday, with 3,000 being turned away.Construction is complete on the new rehabilitation center on Cascade Street. It’s dedication took place on September 24, 1957. Union members affiliated with the Lawrence County Construction and Building Trades Council volunteered many hours in the construction of this building. The building was later renamed in 1966 as the Elder Memorial Rehabilitation Center honoring Spurgeon Elder, the Center's first Industrial Superintendent. This building was destroyed in a fire in 1988 and was rebuilt by Shiderly Construction Co.