Minister Ernie Mills founded the Durham Rescue Mission to serve the addicted and homeless in 1974. His endeavor soon outgrew the East Main Street house where it began and by late 1977 Mills was financially secure enough to buy the former Fuller Memorial Presbyterian Church at Main Street and Alston Avenue. The Mission moved in in 1978 and has grown since, including a number of houses in adjoining blocks and a former motel off Interstate 85.