The Marian Center in Joy Valley was founded in 1994 by the late Barbara J. Smith, Robert A. Smith, and Fr. Andre Schludecker, OFM.

The mission of the Marian Center is to spread the teachings of the Catholic faith by hosting conferences and day retreats, publishing a newspaper, operating a Catholic bookstore, and maintaining the Holy Grounds of the Marian Center with the Grotto of the Archangels, Garden to Our Lady of Guadalupe, and Tomb to the Unborn Child. We rely on donations from supporters to complete this work.