During
June and early July 1844 a series of discussions took place in rooms above
Hitchcock and Roger’s drapers shop in St Paul’s Churchyard. George Williams,
Christopher Smith, Edward Valentine, John Symons, and the eight, nine or ten
other young men involved, discussed setting up what quickly became known as The
Young Men’s Christian Association. (The debate over the number of young men
involved in the original meeting where the Association was formed is reviewed by
Binfield 1973: 120-121. The discussion concerning title can be found in Shedd et
al 1955: 23). They set out with ‘the view of uniting and directing the efforts
of Christian young men for the spiritual welfare of their fellows in the various
departments of commercial life’ (YMCA 1857: frontpiece). In other words, they
began by looking to the needs of people like themselves - a form of mutual aid.
As the Movement grew, those involved were quick to amend rules and activities in
response to the needs they identified. For example, by 1848 the object of the
Association was not just ‘spiritual’ but also ‘mental’ improvement; and the
concern was with young men in general.
The one Association within a year had branches in the West End (the Scots Church, Swallow Street, Piccadilly), Islington, Pimlico, Southwark - and then in Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, Exeter, Bristol, Plymouth and Hull (Binfield 1973: 130. See, also, Shedd et al 1955: 14-40). These then became independent associations. Furthermore, following the activities of the London Association during the Great Exhibition of 1851 associations spread to Australia, France, India and to North America. So was formed the distinctive shape of the Movement. It was to be a movement of, by and for young men; built around faith in Jesus Christ. It was to be evangelising; ecumenical in spirit and membership; and to be concerned with improving social conditions and promoting learning. Central to this was ‘the duty of Christian young men to witness in practical ways to their faith in the sphere of their daily life’ ( see Shedd 1955: 39). Crucially, YMCAs were organized around collective effort via the formation of local associations. While George Williams may be honoured as the founder - the growth of the Movement was very much an associational effort.
The original, Central, YMCA on the corner of Great Russell Street was built in 1911-12 (architect R Plumbe). It had all the distinctive features of a large urban YMCA - halls for meetings, restaurants, a gymnasium, swimming baths, social rooms, a boys department and 240 bedrooms. It provided a wide range of recreational and educational activities. The current building opened in 1976 (designed by the Ellesworth Sykes Partnership), and has a similar range of facilities - although greatly extended - and has become particularly well known for its various fitness programmes.
From 1857 George Williams (1821-1905) lived close by - first at 30 Woburn Square, then at 13 Russell Square WC1. The Russell Square House was given by the Williams family to be the headquarters of the National Council of YMCAs for England, Ireland and Wales. Neither of these properties remain although since 1994 there has been a blue plaque on the north side of Russell Square commemorating Williams. If you step inside the entrance at 112 Great Russell Street you will find a portrait of Williams by John Collier.
References
Binfield, C. (1973) George Williams and the YMCA. A study in Victorian social attitudes, London: Heinemann.
Shedd, C. P. and others (1955) History of the World Alliance of Young Men’s Christian Assocaiations, London: SPCK.
YMCA (1857) Lectures to Young Men (the Exeter Hall lectures), London:J. Nisbet and Co.
© Mark K. Smith. First published August 7, 1997.
