A MISSION ROOTED IN
NEIGHBORHOODS

WE TRACE OUR ROOTS BACK TO 1921 and the establishment of programming based out of the old Southside Baptist Church in Milwaukee’s Walkers Point neighborhood. The Woman’s American Baptist Church Home Mission Society appointed missionary Mamie Passolt MacKinney to develop a center to serve the needs of newly arrived immigrants and other neighbors living in Milwaukee’s south side neighborhoods. Notably , Passolt MacKinney pioneered the first Head Start style program in Milwaukee for preschool youngsters 44 years before the Federal Head Start program began in 1965. Other firsts for MCC include the first Golden Age Club and the first Elderly Nutrition Program in the county.

Almost from its beginning Milwaukee Christian Center hosted programming throughout the south side, including United Church (29 th and Scott St.) and a coffee shop and teen center called the “Spot” (814 S. 6th St.) which would form the beginnings of United Community Center. MCC would continue to play a role in the founding of new organizations throughout its history including Bayview Community Center and Silver Spring Neighborhood Center.

With the construction of the freeway MCC’s original home would be no more and the agency would eventually relocate to 2137 W. Greenfield Ave. while continuing to expand programming both there, in nearby buildings, and directly in the community itself bringing youth an d social programming to neighbors. In 1975, the Neighborhood Improvement Project was started with the purpose of repairing homes for home owners who could not afford said repairs and training young people.

Today, the Milwaukee Christian Center is a multi faceted social service and neighborhood development agency that serves families , youth and elderly regardless of ethnicity, gender, economic status, race, religion or sexual orientation. Our programs and initiatives recognize the power of both people and place, with the belief that strong neighborhoods must include strong, safe, beautiful places and abundant opportunities for people to thrive. Together with you, our team of staff, AmeriCorps members, volunteers, and neighbors across Milwaukee are building strong neighborhoods full of opportunity.