Our History
When Morris and Annie Zeidman started The Scott Mission in 1941,
they told themselves they would serve the needs of the poor and lost in
the community as long as God provided the means.
Now, after 65
years, it is evident that God has blessed the Mission in every way. The
destitute continue to find food, shelter and clothing. The abandoned
find the courage to forgive. The downcast find the strength to restore
broken relationships and achieve their dreams. The lonely find the
perfect friend in Jesus.
In addition, there are more than 100
staff and 5,000 volunteers who dedicate themselves to carrying on the
Zeidmans’ legacy of love and service.
This is how it all began.
Seventeen-year
old Morris Zeidman left his home in Poland to start a new life in
Toronto, just prior to WWI. When he arrived, he realized he needed to
learn English and spent time exploring the streets of the city. One day
as he was walking near the corner of Elm and Elizabeth Street, a sign
written in Hebrew characters on the window of a building caught his
eye. It read: “House of Good Tidings of the Messiah of the Children of
Israel.” Intrigued, he went into the building. This was the Christian
Synagogue, a ministry established in 1908 by the Presbyterian Church in
Canada. Through the vision of the Rev. J. MacPherson Scott, the
Synagogue had been created to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with
Jewish immigrants.
Morris began searching for the truth by asking a lot of questions and having long discussions with the leaders of the Christian Synagogue. It was a long struggle, but eventually Morris found the Truth in Jesus Christ and accepted Him as the long-awaited Messiah. Morris was a changed man. He decided to study at Knox College to become a Presbyterian minister so more people would hear the Good News.
During this time, the Synagogue issued an
appeal to Bloor Street Presbyterian Church asking for volunteers to
teach English to immigrants at the Synagogue. Annie Martin responded to
the call and she and Morris gradually became aware of each other.
In
1920, the Rev. Scott died and the Synagogue was renamed the Scott
Institute to honour him and indicate the broadening of the work from
Jewish immigrants to include poor people of any background. Meanwhile,
Morris had graduated and been ordained. He promptly became the new
superintendant of the Scott Institute, the same institution that had
given him a new life in Christ. He and Annie were married in 1926 and
tirelessly devoted themselves to a variety of ministries: worship
services, Bible study groups, personal consultation, boys and girls
clubs, Sunday School, summer camp, food and clothing distribution, and
financial assistance.
The people who came to the Scott Institute
in those days were desperately poor. Even before the Depression of the
1930s, hundreds of immigrants struggled to establish themselves in
their new country.
Morris had an idea to start a soup kitchen
to serve the many people who were showing up at the door in dire
straits. He approached the Toronto Telegram, a daily newspaper that ran
from 1876 to 1971, to see if they could help. While he was talking to
the editor, the Zellers department store happened to phone the Telegram
to say that they had 130 gallons of turkey giblets left over from their
Thanksgiving dinner and didn’t know what to do with them. The editor
mentioned the Scott Institute’s project and the soup kitchen ministry
began. More than 200 people were fed at that first meal and, gradually
through the Depression, 1,000 men a day came to be fed, in addition to
the groceries and clothing distributed to families.
The Scott
Institute was accountable to the Home Mission Board of the Presbyterian
Church, of which Morris was a member. In October 1941, Morris resigned
from the board due to a difference in vision. The end of the Depression
and beginning of WWII meant that the interest of the Church began to
draw away from the needs of the poor towards chaplaincies and things
concerned with the war. Morris wanted to continue the focus of
providing for the needy, so he took a leap of faith, purchased a double
storefront and small factory at 724-726 Bay Street, and named it The
Scott Mission to show a continuation of the original work. He signed
the lease knowing that he barely had enough for the first month’s rent.
A steady stream of men, women, and children from poor neighbourhoods
came to the Mission every day for assistance. Immediate members of the
Zeidman family began serving, so Morris was able to spend more time
writing.
One tradition he and Annie started was writing the Good Samaritan’s Corner, a little advertisement that appeared every Saturday in the Toronto Star, the Globe and Mail, and the Telegram from October 17, 1945. The ads described little vignettes of life at the Mission and can still be found every other Saturday in the Star and Globe.
In 1948, following steady growth, The Scott Mission moved to 502
Spadina Avenue. In 1960-61, the old premises at 502 Spadina Avenue were
torn down, temporary quarters occupied 696 Spadina Avenue during the
construction period, and a new building was erected on the former site.
In 1975, a third floor was added.
Morris
faithfully fulfilled his ministry until he was called home to the Lord
in 1964. His son, Alex, took over the supervision of the Mission until
his untimely death in 1986. David Zeidman, the younger son, was able to
step into the breach, followed by others who have maintained the
ministries implemented by the founder.
Annie continued to be
involved in the literary aspects of the Mission until her death in
1992. Some members of the Zeidman family are still actively involved in
The Scott Mission’s ministry.
Today, the poor and needy in our
city continue to find comfort and hope at The Scott Mission. The
Childcare Centre, bag lunches and foot clinic are among a few of the
many added services that have helped the Mission expand its level of
impact on impoverished areas of the city.
It is through the
grace of God that The Scott Mission continues to open its doors,
welcoming old and new friends and experiencing an abundance of
blessings year after year!
Need help?
The Scott Mission helps men, women, children and families in a number of ways. Click here to learn how we can help you.
Take a tour
Join us for a tour or book a speaker to learn how The Scott Mission is helping those in need.
Make a difference
We are in urgent need of several essential items for our clients. Click here to view a list.
