About St. Stephen’s Community House
We at St. Stephen’s are on a mission to strengthen families and empower our community. Our vision is for Linden to become a community of togetherness with endless opportunities.
Our HIstory
1919
Founded as the Barthman Ave. Catholic Community House, a neighborhood center on the southside to help new eastern European immigrants, Hungarians, Croatians and others to build community, and support the workers in Steelton by offering social activities and wholesome entertainment for all ages. The building acquired was formerly a theater – 2 stories with a large hall on the 1st floor. When Bishop Hartley bought the building, he asked the Catholic Women’s War Relief to operate it.
1940
With men off to war and the growing demand of working women during World War II, St. Stephen’s began providing youth services. St. Stephen’s became one of the first agencies to receive funds from the newly organized Columbus Community War Chest, known today as the United Way of Central Ohio.
1945
With economic decline in the Appalachian region, many families from Tennessee, West Virginia, and Kentucky came to the south side of Columbus to look for work. This had St. Stephen’s changing its focus to family services and social work to help these families adjust to their new surroundings.
1965
St. Stephen’s decided to relocate the settlement to an entirely underserved section of the city-the Linden area. A temporary office was set up at 2481 Cleveland Ave. to study and analyze the new community and begin to determine the needs and set priorities on programs and services.
1990-2000
St. Stephen’s Community House expanded capacity and opened the Christ Child Early Learning Center, currently a 5-star Step Up to Quality Childcare Center. Primary One Health Center (formerly known as the Columbus Neighborhood Health Center) started operating as a full-service medical center.
2000
Relationship with Columbus Neighborhood Health Centers established to operate SSCH Health Center. NAEYC Accreditation for Child Care, Step Up to Quality certification for Child Care. Work on infant mortality (CelebrateOne), focus on STEM education, large summer programming begins. Accreditation by the Council on Accreditation (COA). Food & Nutrition Center becomes choice pantry.
2019
St. Stephen’s Community House celebrates 100 years of service.
2020
SSCH demonstrated our agility and resilience during the COVID-19 Pandemic such a our drive-through Market that allowed us to provide food to over 500 families a week while following CDC guidelines.
2022
St. Stephen’s Community House partnered with Mid-Ohio Food Collective to expand our food market into the Mid-Ohio Market at St. Stephen’s.