A Catholic-operated social services center on Madison’s South Side will reopen Aug. 3, two months after the Madison Catholic Diocese stunned parishioners by abruptly closing it amid larger financial problems.

The Catholic Multicultural Center, 1862 Beld St., will now be operated by an advisory committee assembled by Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church. The large Madison parish has been leading the effort to resurrect the center as a ministry funded by individual parishes instead of the diocese, a geographical grouping of 134 Catholic churches in 11 counties.

Enough money has been raised from the community in just five weeks to confidently run the center for at least one year to 18 months, said Michelle Horton, director of social action and community enrichment for Our Lady Queen of Peace. She cautioned that a stable, long-term funding source remains a challenge.

The center had been the diocese’s most direct outreach to minorities and the poor, with programs dating to 1946. The diocese, citing a loss of investment income and an annual fundraising campaign that fell short of its goal, closed the center May 29 on two days’ notice.

Horton said numerous parishes have contributed significant sums to reopen the center, including St. Bernard Catholic Church in Madison ($10,000). Individuals have sent in about $80,000, with one anonymous donor pledging to match the first $175,000 in individual donations this year.

The diocese will continue to be a major funder despite its financial problems. That’s because when the diocese launched its voluntary fundraising appeal earlier this year, it promised to devote 9.4 percent of the total raised to the center, even if the overall goal of $3 million was not met.

The campaign has raised $1.65 million so far, so at least $155,000 will go to the center, said Brent King, diocesan spokesman. The center’s annual operating budget had been about $350,000.

The reopened center will begin with two of its most-used programs back up — a thrice-weekly, free evening meal and a food pantry, said Andrew Russell, the former director who is returning to the post. St. Mary’s Hospital has agreed to continue helping to fund a part-time parish nurse program that operated out of the center, he said.

Other plans are in flux, but Russell said he anticipates that most programs and services will return, including a popular computer lab. "I’m extremely impressed by everything that’s happening," Russell said. "Things this big usually don’t happen this fast."

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

The public is invited to an open house at the Catholic Multicultural Center, 1862 Beld St., from 2 to 5 p.m. July 12.

Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church has designated a fund to help reopen the center. Donations can be sent to the parish at 401 S. Owen Drive, Madison, WI 53711.