A Long Road – Day 153:06/18/10

This image was made near the Central Parkway YMCA, though I’m not sure either of these buildings are on their grounds.

The YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association) recently decided to change its name. I’m assuming the move was made was the organization would seem more inclusive of other people like women and non-Christians. I’m completely in favor of that idea, but their decision to now call themselves, simply, “The Y” might not have been the smartest choice. I guess all those young Christians that run the place haven’t heard where dirty old men often make their lunch plans.

In honor of the YMCA, we’re going to have another fun fact day here on the blog. Here are a few interesting bit of info on “The Y.”

1) The YMCA was started in London in 1844, and in now headquartered in Geneva.

2) Though I could find no current figures in 1939 (yes, about 80 years ago), the YMCA was pulling down $48 million a year, and had $212 million in property. This information was printed in a TIME article which stated while describing the 95th anniversary ceremony that “as the fire sprang up, Y. M. C. A. boys from Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia, South America threw faggots on the Fire of Friendship.” Yet another poor choice of words.

3) YMCA founder Sir George Williams, who lived to be 84, started his career has a draper, you know, a guy that makes curtains.

4) YMCAs in America were typically built like hotels. In 1940, the YMCA had over 100,000 rooms available across the country, which was more than any hotel chain at the time. Most the YMCA residency units are gone now, demolished or turned over to universities for student housing.

5) Before the Vatican Council II, the Holy Office warned Catholics against joining the YMCA since it was primarily an Evangelical-founded organization. But now it’s OK.

Drop some of that knowledge on your friends! On a quick side note, the anniversary of the founding of the YMCA or “The Y” was on June 6th making it 166 years old.