Our History

History of the Manuel Artime Community Center and Theater Formerly the Riverside Baptist Church, the Center was purchased by the City of Miami in 1975 with assistance from Community Development Block Grant Funds. As the former residents who made up the church congregation gradually left the neighborhood, the Hispanic influx transformed the area into the hub of what now is called Little Havana. Therefore, the Center was named "Little Havana Community Center". In 1982, it was renamed as the "Manuel Artime Community Center" in recognition of Dr. Manuel Artime Buesa, a hero of the Cuban Brigade 2506. The purpose of the Center is to provide and expand cultural activities to organizations that can implement programs for the benefit of the surrounding community. The Center currently serves a large elderly population of little Havana with numerous cultural activities, film presentations, and other affordable events.