In 1860 a group of Dominican priests from Spain arrived in New York with a mission to create a parish for the unwashed masses of New York City. They built a large complex named after St. Martin, the patron of oppressed peoples, complete with both a convent and abbey. The parish quickly flourished due to an influx of Irish immigrants at the time. For this same reason, the sisters of St. Martin's had an orphanage built, known as St. Cecilia's to help those who had lost family during immigration. Unfortunately, over the years the parish community shrunk to a mere fraction of its previous size. Due to declining church attendance, the Diocese of New York eventually moved the brothers and sisters from the abbey and convent, leaving a few at the orphanage for its upkeep.

In the year 1902, Father Samuel Huffman, native-born son of foreign-born German immigrants, had inherited a parish complex with two empty buildings, falling into disrepair, and a dwindling congregation. Among the members was a Russian couple with their three children: Miroslav, Natalia, and Verochka. Spontaneous combustion of the Dmitriev home led to the death of the parents. Sister Hannah of St. Cecilia's was quickly on the scene, having been alerted to the situation by Doctor Grygo. Little Verochka, being a baby, was taken to the orphanage, but Miroslav and Natalia were too old to be properly cared for there. Touched by their situation, Father Samuel finally thought of a use for the old brick buildings in the churchyard. With the help of the few remaining brothers and sisters the old convent and abbey were converted into rooming houses for people too old for the orphanage, but still too young to be on their own. It was soon discovered; however, that Natalia and her brother would not get along well enough to work together and Miroslav acted as the leader for the entire complex, until 1904 in December.

A week later, Miroslav and Natalia were joined by twelve-year-old boy Dandelion--yes, dandelion--Williams, who helped Miroslav and Natalia settle a few (which wasn't many...) of their issues.

That fateful month a young man named Drago Martines arrived in Queens with his young sister and ward, Annette. After an incident involving another young man named Benvolio Rondenelli, Annette left her brother and took to sleeping in the back of the church. She was soon discovered by Sister Hannah and Brother Steven, who brought her to Father Samuel. Although somewhat startled by her slightly eccentric nature, he decided that she could be in charge of the girls' house, as the responsibly was becoming heavy. After spending time together, Annette and Miroslav fell into the same rhythm and were able to officially open the houses.

The Story of the cats:
In late January, a stray cat was found dead on the steps of the boys' house. Three same kittens were found just a few hours later in the bushes. There were two golden coloured boys, Pumpkin and Scotchy, and one calico girl, Solu. The kittens were taken in and cared for by the lodgers, becoming part of the family there.