OUR STORY
Today
In the Summer of 2025, the Catholic Multicultural Center (CMC) entered a new chapter by formally becoming a program of Catholic Charities of Madison. The merger strengthened long-standing ties, ensured long-term sustainability, and expanded the Center’s capacity to serve the diverse communities of Madison’s South Side with dignity, compassion, and cultural humility.
2009
In 2009, the CMC faced a moment of crisis when the Madison Diocese, which had operated the Center since the early 1990s, closed its doors due to financial challenges following the economic downturn. The community responded immediately, leading to a reopening just two months later through the leadership of Msgr. Ken Fiedler and Director Andy Russell, in partnership with Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish. This partnership allowed CMC to grow significantly, expanding both its staff and its services in response to community needs.
2002
In 2002, two beloved community ministries—Centro Guadalupe and St. Martin House—officially united to form the Catholic Multicultural Center. The original building, long overdue for replacement, was razed and a new Center was constructed under the leadership of Bishop William Bullock. The new facility was intentionally designed to offer core services with dignity, including the free meal program, education and enrichment classes, and space for community gathering.
1977
In 1977, Centro Guadalupe was founded by Dolores Ann Silha to support the increasing number of Spanish-speaking migrant workers arriving in Wisconsin. At a time when bilingual pastoral care was virtually unavailable, Centro Guadalupe provided spiritual support, catechesis and sacramental preparation for children, Spanish-language Mass, English classes, and a clothing program. It later launched the food pantry that continues today as one of the CMC’s essential services. Though it shared a building with St. Martin House, Centro Guadalupe was a separate ministry operated by the Diocese’s Office of Hispanic Ministry.
From the early 1980s through the mid-1990s, St. Martin House flourished under the devotion and leadership of Margaret Straub, who volunteered as director for many years. In response to the economic recession of the 1980s, she launched the free community meal program—now a hallmark of the Center—serving approximately 25,000 meals each year. Margaret dedicated her life to serving others until her passing in 1996.
St. Martin House itself has a long legacy of community support.
1952
In 1952, Blessed Martin House relocated from West Washington Avenue to its current site on Beld Street. The modest building was constructed almost entirely by volunteers—including seminarians—guided by Bishop Hastrich and a dedicated group of lay women. Over the decades, St. Martin House offered an array of programs reflecting the needs of the time: sewing classes, children’s summer programs, a Golden Gloves boxing club, employment assistance, and food support. At one time, it even served as an orphanage.
1946
Founded initially as Blessed Martin House in 1946, the organization was created by a group of community members and Father Jerome L. Hastrich (later Bishop of Gallup, NM), with the support of his brother Monsignor George Hastrich. Named for Blessed (now Saint) Martin de Porres, patron of interracial harmony, the organization was established to foster unity and understanding between Black and white community members.