Saint Vincent De Paul Village

Here is a little history on the organization dating back to 1950. "The foundation for St. Vincent de Paul Village was laid in April 1950. " In 1952, "To help pay parish expenses, St. Mary of the Wayside Chapel added a used goods store to its facility. " "By 1957 St. Mary's thrift store began to show a profit and St. Mary's pastor Father Jeremiah Murphy was able to give back $1,500 to Bishop Buddy and the diocese. " In 1958, as household donations increased, they relocated St. Mary of the Wayside Thrift Shop and they bought a truck to pick up household donations. " In 1962, they moved the Chapel and thrift store to 630 Fourth Avenue, San Diego. "The store was renamed the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Shop " In 1964 ,"St. Mary of the Wayside and the Thrift Shop merged and became the St. Vincent de Paul Center. " In 1966, "Father Joseph Topping was placed in charge of the St. Vincent de Paul Center until 1982. He was able to retire the Center's quarter million dollar debt, build a new warehouse on Commercial Street and a new Thrift Store on Market Street in 1981. " .
             In 1970, "During this decade, St. Vincent de Paul Center at 4th and Market Street met increasing demands for services from area transients, the unemployed and elderly that lost affordable housing and restaurants when San Diego developed the Gaslamp Quarter. 1980 - ""After 20 years on Fourth Avenue and Market Street, St. Mary of the Wayside was closed in October as the St. Vincent de Paul Center made plans to move." 1981 - "St. Vincent de Paul Center moves to 1550 Market Street, San Diego and is dedicated by Bishop Leo T. Maher on May 11. " 1982 - "Following 16 years of service, Msgr. Joseph Topping retires and Father Joe is assigned by San Diego Bishop Leo T. Maher to St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Center to create a "preferential option for the poor." 1983 - "The Center leased motel housing for 200 at the El Cortez Travolator. Services included overnight shelter, breakfast, basic medical care and a one-room school operated by the San Diego Unified School District.