The Adelaide City Mission was established in 1867, its principal aim being the “evangelisation of the neglected classes“. The Mission was involved in various charitable activities with Adelaide’s poor, and also organised religious activities such as gospel meetings (The Register, 20 July 1927).
In 1926, the Adelaide City Mission opened the Aboriginal Women’s Home in the old City Mission Hall in North Adelaide, which could house up to 22 women and children. Many of its residents were from rural areas and were visiting Adelaide for medical treatment. The Mission ran the Home with assistance from the South Australian government. After opening the Home, the City Mission moved to new premises in Light Square (The Register, 30 June 1926).
The Aboriginal Women’s Home was run by the Mission until the early 1970s when it came under the control of the SA Department for Community Welfare.
In 1996, Mission Australia was created, an amalgamation of city missions from around Australia: Adelaide City Mission, Sydney City Mission, Wollongong City Mission, Perth City Mission (also known as Jesus People Inc.), Brisbane City Mission, Mission Australia Northern New South Wales, Mission Australia Southern New South Wales, Mission Australia Group Training and Mission Employment.