In 1912, Dr. Joshua Stansfield, minister of Meridian Street Methodist Church, formed a committee to be a link between the church and social service work of the city.  Aid was given in various ways - support to French war orphans, milk money to School #12, college money loans to deserving yet  needy students, and the purchase of everything from false teeth to sewing machines and steel chairs.

In 1934 Stansfield Circle created and sponsored Meridian Club, a community center that was soon hailed for reducing juvenile delinquency in that area by 60%. After World War 11, Fletcher Place Community Center became the main project of Stansfield.

Stansfield Circle has been an interdenominational group since 1948 and was incorporated in 1962