YMCA of Greater Birmingham: Difference between revisions
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The '''YMCA of Greater Birmingham''' (also known as the '''Metropolitan Birmingham YMCA''') is the | The '''YMCA of Greater Birmingham''' (also known as the '''Metropolitan Birmingham YMCA''') is the branch of the worldwide '''Young Men's Christian Association''' for the [[Birmingham District]]. The Birmingham YMCA's stated mission is "to put Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all." | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
The YMCA of Birmingham was founded in [[1884]]. Early programs offered included temporary housing the original downtown location, <!-- needs a link, but I don't know the year it was built--> | The YMCA of Birmingham was founded in [[1884]]. Early programs offered included temporary housing the original downtown location, <!-- needs a link, but I don't know the year it was built--> a game room, a reading room and library, plus classes in mathematics, shorthand and other subjects. The YMCA also held up to ten religious services each week. | ||
Over the years, the programs increased in number and variety. In [[1940]], the YMCA opened it's first branch away from their downtown location in [[Five Points South YMCA|Five Points South]]. This was followed by buildings for black members (organized in [[1937]]) in [[1951]], the [[Northeast YMCA|Northeast]] and [[Shades Valley Family YMCA|Shades Valley]] branches in [[1962]], [[4th Avenue West YMCA|4th Avenue West]] in [[1970]], and the original [[Shelby County YMCA|Shelby County]] branch in [[1973]]. The downtown branch moved to its [[Downtown YMCA|current location]] in [[1985]]. | Over the years, the programs increased in number and variety. In [[1940]], the YMCA opened it's first branch away from their downtown location in [[Five Points South YMCA|Five Points South]]. This was followed by buildings for black members (organized as a group in [[1937]]) in [[1951]], the [[Northeast YMCA|Northeast]] and [[Shades Valley Family YMCA|Shades Valley]] branches in [[1962]], [[4th Avenue West YMCA|4th Avenue West]] in [[1970]], and the original [[Shelby County YMCA|Shelby County]] branch in [[1973]]. The downtown branch moved to its [[Downtown YMCA|current location]] in [[1985]]. | ||
In [[2005]], the YMCA purchased four branches of [[SportsFirst]] from the [[Baptist Health System]]: [[Greystone YMCA|Greystone]], [[Mountain Brook YMCA|Mountain Brook]], [[Trussville YMCA|Trussville]], and [[Vestavia YMCA|Vestavia]]. This was followed by the construction of a [[YMCA Youth Center|Youth Center]] downtown in [[2006]]. In [[2011]], what is currently the association's largest single facility opened in [[Hoover YMCA|Hoover]]. | In [[2005]], the YMCA purchased four branches of [[SportsFirst]] from the [[Baptist Health System]] for use as branches: [[Greystone YMCA|Greystone]], [[Mountain Brook YMCA|Mountain Brook]], [[Trussville YMCA|Trussville]], and [[Vestavia YMCA|Vestavia]]. This was followed by the construction of a [[YMCA Youth Center|Youth Center]] downtown in [[2006]]. In [[2011]], what is currently the association's largest single facility opened in [[Hoover YMCA|Hoover]]. | ||
== Branches == | == Branches == | ||
Revision as of 09:48, 25 January 2013
The YMCA of Greater Birmingham (also known as the Metropolitan Birmingham YMCA) is the branch of the worldwide Young Men's Christian Association for the Birmingham District. The Birmingham YMCA's stated mission is "to put Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all."
History
The YMCA of Birmingham was founded in 1884. Early programs offered included temporary housing the original downtown location, a game room, a reading room and library, plus classes in mathematics, shorthand and other subjects. The YMCA also held up to ten religious services each week.
Over the years, the programs increased in number and variety. In 1940, the YMCA opened it's first branch away from their downtown location in Five Points South. This was followed by buildings for black members (organized as a group in 1937) in 1951, the Northeast and Shades Valley branches in 1962, 4th Avenue West in 1970, and the original Shelby County branch in 1973. The downtown branch moved to its current location in 1985.
In 2005, the YMCA purchased four branches of SportsFirst from the Baptist Health System for use as branches: Greystone, Mountain Brook, Trussville, and Vestavia. This was followed by the construction of a Youth Center downtown in 2006. In 2011, what is currently the association's largest single facility opened in Hoover.
Branches
Current branches
- Alabaster YMCA, Alabaster
- Downtown YMCA, Birmingham
- Greystone YMCA, Shelby County (U.S. Highway 280)
- Hoover YMCA, Hoover
- Mountain Brook YMCA, Mountain Brook
- Northeast YMCA, Birmingham (Roebuck)
- Pelham YMCA, Pelham
- Shades Valley YMCA, Homewood
- Trussville YMCA, Trussville
- Vestavia YMCA, Vestavia Hills
- Western Area YMCA, Birmingham (Belview Heights)
Other facilities
- Camp Cosby, Alpine
- Hargis Retreat, Chelsea
- YMCA Youth Center, Birmingham
Former branches
- 4th Avenue West YMCA
- Original Downtown YMCA, 526 20th Street North(?)
- Five Points South YMCA, Birmingham (Five Points South)
- Shelby County YMCA
External links
- YMCA of Greater Birmingham website