The Siena House was created in 2003 by six women who attended a Christian Campus Ministry called the Shalom Center (since then the ministry is now the Newman Center). In the beginning, there were no big dreams of what the house would become. They were just six girls who were very serious about their faith and thought it would be fun to live together. After praying a novena to Saint Joseph, they found a house located next to the Catholic men's house. They wanted the house to be a place where people in the community would feel welcome. Saint Catherine of Siena became as the patroness of the house in 2005. She was chosen because of her bold faith and devotion to Christ through prayer and service to others. Almost 20 years later, the house continues to be a welcoming place for women to grow in faith, prayer and fellowship.