In the fall of 1962, two clergy... one Lutheran, one United Presbyterian… observed the city of San Francisco at night. They asked of each other a simple question: "What happens to people in crisis during the hours of the night when all of the churches are closed and the only social services available are police, fire, and ambulance?" In a demonstration project the following year, the question answered itself. "Not much."

Shaped out of human need and impelled by the gospel, the Spirit gave form to the vision and in 1964 the Night Ministry was born. Seven denominations responded and financed the ministry during its crucial early years.

“The San Francisco Night Ministry shall be considered an experimental program of the Protestant Christian Community of San Francisco seeking to find new expressions of Christian service, concern and witness to the needs of persons during the night hours. Responsibility for the program shall be lodged within the Department of Pastoral Services of the San Francisco Council of Churches with the creation of a special committee known as the ‘Protestant Night Ministry Committee’ composed of representatives of the following denominations [who support the ministry financially]: American Baptist, Episcopal, Lutheran Church in America, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, Methodist, United Church of Christ, United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.”  -San Francisco Council of Churches minutes February 26, 1964

In 1990 Night Ministry became an independent not-for-profit organization with its own Governing Board and new charter, constitution and mission statement.