In response to declining social conditions occurring in big cities at the end of the Industrial Revolution, the Young Men's Christian Association was founded in London England on June 6 , 1844 by George Williams. By 1851 there were 24 YMCAs in Great Britain , with a combined membership of 2,700. That same year the YMCA arrived in North America and was established in Montreal on November 25 and in Boston on December 29. By 1854, the first international convention was held in Paris , and included 397 separate YMCAs with a total of 30,369 members.
Locally, in the fall of 1889, led by R.U. Garrett, the YMCA of Western North Carolina was founded in the Central Methodist Church . The gathering was attended by members of all the city's denominations. The YMCA was born with Mr. H.T. Collins as the first president.
By the turn of the century membership was up to 350. In 1901, under the leadership of the new General Secretary Mr. O.B. Van Horn, the YMCA did what had been considered impossible. A building on Haywood Street was purchased, and, by 1909, membership had increased to 658.
In 1920, the YMCA purchased a new building on the corner of Woodfin Street and Broadway. Built in 1840 and enlarged to twice its original size in 1922, the magnificent Woodfin mansion served as the home to the YMCA for nearly 50 years.
During that time, the YMCA was host to countless programs and personalities. Thousands of servicemen were entertained at the Y during World War II. After the war, Y clubs were formed for local school children. The Market Street branch (now the YMI Cultural Center ), actively served the African-American population.
The modern, comprehensive facility that
now houses the Asheville YMCA did not come easy. The construction
of this new facility cost $1 million and would not have
been possible without many local volunteers and businesses.
In 2003, the YMCA of Western North Carolina
opened the Corpening Memorial YMCA in Marion and the Reuter
Family YMCA in south Buncombe County . These new facilities
allow the YMCA to serve thousands more individuals, families
and children throughout our region.
