The Madison Church Women United dates back to 1924 when representatives of 17 churches met together and formed the Women’s Church and Missionary Federation. In 1934 the name was changed to The Madison Council of Federated Church Women. Four years later, the group became know as the Madison Council of Church Women. The national Church Women United was begun in 1941 with the name United Church Women, and the Madison unit adopted the name in 1950. In 1968 the national body became Church Women United and the Madison unit became Church Women United in Madison.

Church Women United has worked on various projects over the years independently and at times in cooperation with other groups. The Madison CWU sponsored Vista workers in Madison for several years. This gave churches an opportunity to help programs, e.g. a free health center.

For several years an Interfaith Day brought women together from the Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Mormon, and Protestant faiths. Other efforts in the past include a forum allowing AFDC mothers to tell their stories. A seminar was held on the Vietnam War. One year World Hunger was a special feature with women distributing information at the Square. During the International Year of the Woman, video programs of women in various professions were taped and broadcast on the Public Access Channel. A free clothing center was operated with Dane County Social Services for several years.