| 1866 |
Mary Virginia Merrick was born on November 2. |
| 1884 |
Mary Virginia Merrick and friends make and deliver the first Christmas layette and answer children's letters to the Christ Child with gifts marked "from the Christ Child." |
| 1885 |
First year of the Society's informal existence. A group of "Friendly Visitors" was set up to visit the homes of the poor to determine their needs. |
| 1887 |
The Society was officially established in Washington DC |
| 1891 |
Fresh Air Work began whereby underprivileged children were provided 2-week summer stays in rented country cottages. |
| 1898 |
The Christ Child Society Settlement House opened at 1101 H St., NW. |
| 1899 |
Society organized on a formal basis with committee on organization formed to set up Society on a business footing |
| 1900 |
Motto "Laborare est orare" was adopted |
| 1901 |
Society formally adopts a constitution and bylaws |
| 1903 |
Society incorporated in the District of Columbia. |
| 1905 |
Italian Settlement started near Union Station at request of Cardinal Gibbons. |
| 1907 |
Boys Club organized at the Italian Center |
| 1908 |
Seven branches of the Christ Child Society operating in other cities |
|
Permanent Fresh Air Camp established in Silver Spring, MD |
| 1914 |
Purchase of Fresh Air Camp property |
| 1915 |
Mary Merrick received the Laetare Medal from Notre Dame University |
| 1916 |
National Christ Child Society established with Mary Merrick as president. She remained president of Washington DC Chapter and the National Christ Child Society until 1948. |
| 1920 |
Building for first permanent headquarters purchased at 324 Indiana Ave, NW. |
| 1922 |
Silver Spring property was sold and property on Norbeck Road in Montgomery County purchased. |
|
Regular rummage sales were organized. |
| 1923 |
The Voice of the Christ Child, a quarterly newsletter first published |
| 1926 |
Fresh Air Camp was converted into Convalescent Home for 6-12 year olds. |
| 1932 |
New headquarters and settlement house built at 608 Massachusetts, Ave., NE. |
|
Men's committee formed to direct the work with boys and the Christ Child Boys Club was renamed the Merrick Boys Club |
|
Mary Virginia Merrick was the first woman to receive the Cosmopolitan Club Medal |
| 1933 |
Christ Child Opportunity Shop purchased at 1427 Wisconsin Ave in Georgetown. |
| 1935 |
Gymnasium added to the Settlement house, dedicated to the "service of youth." |
| 1937 |
Summer camp for girls opened near Annapolis |
|
Mary Merrick awarded Theta Phi Alpha Medal as outstanding Catholic Woman of the Year by the National Catholic Council of Catholic Women |
|
Mary Merrick presented with Proc Ecclesia et Pontifice Medal |
| 1938 |
Mens' Committee of the Merrick Boys Camp formed |
| 1941 |
Merrick Girls' Camp Committee organized to raise funds for girls' camp |
| 1948 |
Mary Merrick resigns as president of National Christ Child Society. Mrs. Alice Hopkins became the national president. |
| 1949 |
Mary Merrick received honorary degree from Georgetown University |
| 1951 |
Annapolis camp property was sold and the Girls' Camp was established in Calvert County on the Patuxent River on land provided by the Archdiocese of Washington. |
|
Norbeck Road
property was sold |
|
New building for Convalescent Home was erected on Edson Lane in Rockville. Cardinal O'Boyle dedicated new building. |
| 1953 |
Convalescent Home renamed Convalescent Hospital. Two programs were administered: one for convalescent children and a second for emotionally disturbed children. |
| 1955 |
January 10, Mary Merrick died at 88 years of age. |
| 1956 |
Second Floor of Opportunity Shop established as antique and consignment store. |
| 1959 |
Junior Guilds started with establishment of the Mary Virginia Merrick subchapter. Others followed. |
| 1960 |
Convalescent care was phased out and the program was changed to 24 hour care of emotionally disturbed children. Name was changed to Christ Child Institute for Emotionally Disturbed Children. |
| 1961 |
Society was reorganized into separate departments: Institute, Settlement House, Camp and Opportunity Shop. |
| 1963 |
Settlement House and Camp committees combined at Settlement House. |
| 1974 |
Settlement House was closed because of declining child population in neighborhood. |
| 1977 |
Settlement House was sold |
| 1980 |
The Institute for Emotionally Disturbed Children was closed. |
| 1982 |
The School Counseling Program was developed and administered from the Institute Property. |
| 1985 |
The Volunteer "Cum Laude" award was established |
| 1986 |
First Annual Founder's Day was established |
| 1988 |
Institute Property sold. Investment fund established to support Society programs. |
| 1998 |
Camp program discontinued due to change in needs of urban children and lack of availability of trained counselors. |
| 1999 |
Camp scholarship program established |
| 2002 |
Downstairs of Opportunity Shop renovated and entire store dedicated to antiques and consignments. |
| 2003 |
Mary Virginia Merrick declared "A Servant of God." The Cause of Canonization for Mary Virginia Merrick begins in earnest. |
2004
|
Camp property sold. $1million of proceeds provided to Victory Youth Centers to build a recreation center at St. Thomas More in SE DC to be called the Merrick |