About Merrick
Founded in 1908 to serve the needs of the Railroad Island neighborhood’s newly arrived immigrants, Merrick Community Services helps families and individuals access support, find opportunities, overcome challenges, and contribute to a vibrant, healthy, and welcoming East Side community.
Mary Virginia Merrick circa 1942
Mary Virginia Merrick and Mrs. H. T. Quinlan establish the Saint Paul Chapter of the Christ Child Society.
The Saint Paul chapter opens a community center off Lower Payne Avenue. After a 1932 fire, it is rebuilt and serves neighbors for nearly 30 years.
Merrick Community Center is built at Edgerton Street and Minnehaha Avenue.
The organization separates from the national Christ Child Society and becomes the independent Merrick Community Services.
Merrick leaves its deteriorating Edgerton building and temporarily moves to the Old Swedish Bank Building.
Merrick moves to its permanent home at 1669 Arcade Street North, bringing all programs and services together in one location.
1908–1926
The seed of today’s Merrick Community Services was planted in 1908 when Mrs. H. T. Quinlan founded the Christ Child Society in St. Paul.
Mrs. Quinlan followed the settlement house model of the Christ Child Society, which was established twenty years earlier by Mary Virginia Merrick in Washington. D.C., in response to the needs of immigrants. In time, the Christ Child Society became a national network of social services. Between 1908 and 1926, the Society’s neighborhood center occupied five different sites but remained in the vicinity of Railroad Island, the first home of newly arrived immigrants in St. Paul.
1958–1990
A permanent East Side home helped the organization grow alongside the community.
Funds from the United Way’s Buildings for Youth campaign were used in 1958 to construct a new community center on the corner of Edgerton Street and Minnehaha Avenue — changing the organization’s name to Merrick Community Services.
In the 1970’s, Merrick was invited to take over other programs in the Dayton’s Bluff neighborhood and in Roosevelt Homes, a low-income housing community on St. Paul’s East Side.
This resulted in opening multiple food shelves and adding seasonal programs for back-to-school and holiday needs.
1990–Today
Today, Merrick continues to serve over 20,000 low-income and immigrant individuals and families via its Employment & Career Services, Family & Community Services, Food Shelf and Meals on Wheels.
Merrick Community Services has been working in partnership with Saint Paul’s East Metro since 1908. We look forward to continuing to serve the community and working together to improve the lives of the residents by supporting individuals and families to navigate life transitions, find health and stability, and promote independence.
Our Impact
Fiscal year 2025–26
Participants served
Meals delivered
Individuals received employment & career services
Volunteers contributed their time and skills
Your gift helps Merrick continue serving East Side families and neighbors for generations to come.
1669 Arcade Street N.
Suite 4
St. Paul, MN 55106
(651) 771-9339
Office Hours:
Mon-Th 8am-5:30pm
Fri-Sun Closed
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