AREA HISTORY: Young Men’s Christian Association, Borough of York, York County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/york/ _______________________________________________ History of York County, Pennsylvania. John Gibson, Historical Editor. Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886. _______________________________________________ THE YOUNG MEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION – Page 547 An organization was effected in 1856, but it soon ceased to exist. The present association was formed March 7, 1869, in the U. B. Church, by young men representing the different Protestant churches of York. A subsequent meeting was held in “Rupp’s Building” on May 14, of the same year, and a permanent organization was effected as follows: President, David E. Small; recording secretary, Charles G. Welch; corresponding secretary, Arthur King; treasurer, J. J. Frick; representatives of the different churches, O. P. Weiser, E. C. Bender, H. C. Adams, M. B. Spahr, H. A. Ebert, Joseph Loucks, G. J. Weiser, R. H. Moffat, J. A. Sechrist, John M. Brown, Andrew Watt, C. C. Kottcamp, George F. Leber, W. H. Welsh, C. L. Thomas, W. Reisinger. The meetings were held at first in the engine houses of the fire companies and by special request in the parlor of one of the hotels. Apartments were secured in “Ebert’s Building,” where a reading room was opened and a library established. At the end of the first year’s work the membership was 198. The first anniversary was held in Beaver Street Methodist Episcopal Church. Work was accomplished in Freystown that eventuated in the building of a chapel there at a cost $1,500. In 1871, rooms were rented in “Spahr’s Building.” A well supplied free reading room and library were opened. The first convention was held in May, 1871, in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. David E. Small, the president, was an earnest and devoted worker in the cause, and his labors were very effective. The following year open-air meetings were held on the streets at four places in York, on Sunday afternoons. The suppression of intemperance and Sabbath breaking enlisted the attention of the association. Samuel Small, Sr., presided at a meeting held May 26, 1873, whose subject for discussion was the proper observance of the Sabbath. A petition, in relation to Sabbath laws and intemperance, containing 3,000 names, was presented to the court, by 150 representatives. David E. Small, who earnestly laborer in behalf of the principles advocated by the association, resigned the office of president, May 8, 1877, on account of ill health, and was succeeded by David Fahs. A picnic was held in Bumgardner’s Woods, July 4, 1878, at which 4,000 persons were present. In the year 1879, the mission chapel, on Princess Street was built, under the auspices of this association. It is a neat frame building, covered with slate, 70 feet front, and 40 feet deep, with a vestibule and belfry. Its cost was $2,750 and was dedicated July 6. In the year 1875, June 20, Judge Fahs began a Mission Sunday-school; at the time of the dedication of this chapel it numbered 200 pupils. Mother’s meetings were organized in connection with the school, and children were taught to sew and make garments, and much good was accomplished. On May 18, 1879, those who had been so successful with the Princess Street chapel, considered the advisability of organizing a mission in Low Street, Freystown. Religious services were first held in the house of Mrs. Greenawalt, on that street. They prospered, and soon after, through the beneficence of Samuel Small, and the active exertions of Judge Fahs, a neat chapel was built and dedicated. George F. Stackpole took charge of the affairs of the Y. M. C. A. August, 1879, and continued until 1880. Henry Small, son of the late David E. Small, was elected to succeed Judge Fahs, who then turned his attention to the two mission chapels. Mr. Small worked earnestly to increase the financial condition of the association, and in order to effectively accomplish this object, declined re-election, and J. G. Eisenhart became president in 1881. In 1883 the board of managers of the Y. M. C. A. deeded the two chapels to boards of trustees. May 25, 1883, the association lost its most influential member and warmest friend, in the death of David E. Small. A building known as “Termperance Hall,” on North George Street, was rented and fitted up. In September, 1883, S. B. Herr was chosen secretary. Twelve thousand dollars were raised, and the residence of the late William Hay, at No. 122 West Market Street, was purchased. In the public reading rook of this building, are now received eleven daily papers, twenty weeklies and ten monthly magazines. The library has 500 volumes. The handsome book-case was presented to the association by Mrs. David E. Small, in memory of her lamented husband. The entire building is elegantly furnished. In the parlor is a piano, and also an organ, and everything tastefully arranged by the members of the Ladies’ Auxiliary Committee. A hall and hymhasium were erected at the rear of the building at a cost of $5,000. A R. Cochrane, of Boston, is instructor in the gymnasium. The new building with its excellent apartments fully equipped is greatly due to Henry Small and his mother, Mrs. David E. Small. The officers of the association for 1885 are as follows: M. B. Spahr, president; Jacob Bastress, vice-president; G. W. Gross, recording secretary; W. C. McClellan, treasurer; Seremus B. Herr, general secretary. Board of managers: M. B. Spahr, W. H. McClellan, Henry Small, Henry A. Ebert, David W. Crider, Jacob Bastress, Frank Geise, J. A. Dempwolf, William F. Weiser, Robert L. Shetter, G. W. Gross, John W. Buckingham, M. E. Hartzler, R. B. Sperry. Total membership, 432. Members taking gymnasium privileges, 156. The officers of the Ladies’ Auxiliary Committee are as follows, (March, 1885): Mrs. George P. Smyser, president; Mrs. J. G. Eisenhart, vice-president; Mrs. John Gahring, vice-president; Miss Lizzie Buckingham, recording secretary; Miss Sallie Lanius, corresponding secretary; Mrs. Rev. F. J. Sauber, treasurer. Membership over 100. The mission schools in the chapels on Princess and Low Streets, not now connected with the Y. M. C. A., are doing an important and valuable work in York. Prominent among the persons who have been unceasing in their interests as superintendents, teachers and supporters of them are Mr. and Mrs. George H. Sprigg, Mrs. Judge J. S. Black, Mrs. Brooks and Miss McCoy. For a number of years these schools, by the courteous invitation of Mrs. Black, held their annual picnics on the broad and shady lawns around “Brockie,” where the distinguished jurist himself was greatly delighted at seeing the mission children enjoy themselves. He further showed his philanthropy by defraying the expenses incurred in purchasing refreshments for the delighted children.