The first YMCA, or Young Men’s Christian Association, was established
in 1844 in London, England by George Williams. Within a decade, almost
400 YMCAs were formed in 7 nations. The nonprofit’s purpose was to
financially, physically, and spiritually assist individuals and
families in various communities. The Erie YMCA was established in 1860,
operating from the basements of various Protestant churches for a full
year until settling within the Beatty block on North Park Row. The
organization founded Erie’s first public library in 1866, providing a
large collection of books, lecture series, and a reading room for the
Erie community. In 1878, the Erie YMCA purchased a building at 10th and
Peach streets, which featured a lecture room and gymnasium. In the
1880s, the Erie YMCA began providing physical education classes, adult
education night courses, and English language lessons to newly arriving
immigrants. As the Erie YMCA continued to offer more services to the
community, the organization needed to build a larger building. In 1912,
a multi-level Colonial Revival style structure was erected on the same
site at 10th and Peach streets.
In 2016, the YMCA has five branches in Erie County, and this location
is referred to as the Downtown Y. YMCA summer camps and child care
facilities are found throughout the county as well. The organization
has continued to thrive in Erie County for more than 150 years, serving
all residents regardless of age, gender, race, religious affiliation,
and economic status.
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