Founded in 1979, the Community Center of South Decatur is a non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve and maintain the East Wing of the historic Scottish Rite Hospital and to provide social and cultural programming for South Decatur.

The Community Center strives to provide a free venue for various community meetings, and to offer diverse programs and classes to the surrounding community. Past sessions have included yoga classes, stained glass making, art classes for adults and art camps for kids and martial arts. The Center also hosts Jazz Nights every Thursday evening in April and September, to allow neighbors and friends to picnic on the Solarium lawn and enjoy a free jazz concert. Check the calendar periodically for new listings.

The Community Center's most visible project is The Solarium at Historic Scottish Rite. The Center currently leases the Solarium space from the developer with plans to purchase it when the lease expires. The Center has created a management budget with support from the South Decatur Community Development Corporation (SDCDC). A grant of $25.000 paid for interior finishes (hardwood floors, paint, lighting) that would help make the space marketable as a venue for special events; and a loan of $25,000 combined with proceeds of other fundraising activities supports building maintenance, utilities, insurance, cleaning staff, and part-time administrative staff.