The Saint Cecilia Music Society was founded September 7th, 1883 by nine determined Grand Rapids women. These women were serious about studying, hearing, playing and promoting the appreciation of music and art throughout the community. The musical work of the society is stated to be based on, “broad lines, free from selfish interests, devoted to musical improvement and the development of the art in the community.” Originally composed entirely of women, the society grew in size each year as the events were members only. This prompted more and more women in the community to become members.

As membership grew, it was apparent that the society needed a space of their own that would be large enough to hold their growing participation. As a result, May of 1892 the society purchased the present site on Ransom Ave. and by the spring of 1894, St. Cecilia's building was completed. St. Cecilia Music Society was the first woman musical organization in the United States to have purchased and operated their own clubhouse. The building features a nearly 700-seat auditorium with acoustical qualities which have caused numerous critics and performers to rate it as one of the most outstanding performance halls in the country.

The building and the organization was named after a saintly third century Roman girl who composed hymns, played various instruments, and invented the organ, which was used to influence people to convert to Roman Catholicism. Although it seemed that the organization was affiliated with Catholicism, the society stressed that they were not connected to any single religion.

Over the years, the society held recitals that featured local and nationally recognized artists and musicians. These women also organized youth musical groups and helped with the creation of other musical organizations, such as the Grand Rapids Opera, the Grand Rapids Symphony and the Grand Rapids Civic Theater. The Saint Cecilia Music Society is one of the few woman's organizations that is still around today.