Our History
Dismas House was founded in 1959 by a Jesuit Priest, Father Charles “Dismas” Clark, and a Jewish criminal lawyer, Morris Shenker. Father Clark grew up in an environment of helping those less fortunate than he.
After graduating from high school, Father Clark’s goal was to become a Jesuit priest. Father Clark achieved his goal in June l932. His first assignment was at the St. Louis University High School. Morris Shenker, co-founder of Dismas House, was an immigrant from Russia who came to St. Louis in pursuit of an education as a lawyer.
He was admitted to St. Louis University. It was there he came in contact with Father Clark and became interested in his crusade for helping ex-offenders. Father Clark for many years had the idea of starting a Halfway House for ex-convicts, but could not find a means of financing it. His newly found friendship with Morris Shenker, however, proved to be very valuable.
Although Father Clark was a well known and respected priest in the community, there was strong opposition to the opening of Dismas House for ex-offenders at that time. Father Clark and Morris Shenker succeeded in opening Dismas Halfway House in 1959. The name was derived from the thief, St. Dismas, who died on the cross at the time of the Crucifixion of Christ.
When Father Clark died in 1963, Father Fred Zimmerman became Executive Director and remained in that capacity until his retirement in 1989 when Father Joseph M. Kohler became the Executive Director. Father Kohler retired in 2003 and John Flatley became the Executive Director. By 2018, John Flatley decided to retire and Randy Howard was appointed the position of Executive Director.
After graduating from high school, Father Clark’s goal was to become a Jesuit priest. Father Clark achieved his goal in June l932. His first assignment was at the St. Louis University High School. Morris Shenker, co-founder of Dismas House, was an immigrant from Russia who came to St. Louis in pursuit of an education as a lawyer.
He was admitted to St. Louis University. It was there he came in contact with Father Clark and became interested in his crusade for helping ex-offenders. Father Clark for many years had the idea of starting a Halfway House for ex-convicts, but could not find a means of financing it. His newly found friendship with Morris Shenker, however, proved to be very valuable.
Although Father Clark was a well known and respected priest in the community, there was strong opposition to the opening of Dismas House for ex-offenders at that time. Father Clark and Morris Shenker succeeded in opening Dismas Halfway House in 1959. The name was derived from the thief, St. Dismas, who died on the cross at the time of the Crucifixion of Christ.
When Father Clark died in 1963, Father Fred Zimmerman became Executive Director and remained in that capacity until his retirement in 1989 when Father Joseph M. Kohler became the Executive Director. Father Kohler retired in 2003 and John Flatley became the Executive Director. By 2018, John Flatley decided to retire and Randy Howard was appointed the position of Executive Director.
"Hoodlum Priest" and "The Rat Pack"
In 1961, a movie called the “Hoodlum Priest” was released in efforts to portray the true work of Father Clark. "Hoodlum Priest" premiered in Saint Louis on February 28, 1961. The movie, filmed in the slums and alleys of St. Louis, went on to be one of the tope 10 films of 1961. Despite some belief that the movie exploited a good cause, it gave impetus to the Halfway House movement. In 1965, the event "Live In St. Louis" mceed by Johnny Carson, was used to raise money for the new endeavor. The event also included a few other well known figures like Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra.
Our Belief
Dismas House was built on the belief that man can reform; with faith that he can be forgiven; with hope that he will accept the truth of his crime and the necessity of his punishment, and still believe that life holds a promise. However, none of this is possible without the grace of God. Dismas House is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization. Income is derived from contracts with the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. Dismas House has been a refuge for 10,000 plus residents. Halfway Houses have become an integral part of the U. S. criminal justice system. Dismas House responds to the needs of its residents by addressing the “Total Man”.
It acknowledges the physical, mental, spiritual, and psychological needs of each resident and works toward assisting the resident in fulfilling those needs with God’s help and the resident’s own willingness to change.