History

In 1976, the neighborhood on Presa Street, south of downtown, was going through significant changes with highway infrastructure being built and neighborhoods being divided and in some locations, cut off from easy access. As the community began to shift, the local churches in the neighborhood found themselves inundated with families facing crisis and needs. Five churches came together to address the concerns and agreed to create a separate 501©3 organization, that each of the churches could support. That became the genesis of Presa Community Center. Presa was housed in an old building behind St. Paul Lutheran Church, offering senior and youth services for the community.

In 1994, the family of Ben Foster, long time San Antonian, gifted Presa with a building located further south on Presa Street. After undergoing necessary renovations to make the space ready for all of the activities, the new facility was opened in August, 1994. Over the years, the programs and services offered by Presa have changed and evolved, based on the changing needs of the community. In November, 2004, through partnerships with the City of San Antonio, University of the Incarnate Word and HUD, Presa opened a new Technology and Learning Center and a covered Sports Pavilion. Two dilapidated homes were purchased behind the existing building and space was made for the additions.