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The History of YMCA

YMCA New Zealand is affiliated to the World Alliance of YMCAs, a global Christian Movement working for social justice for all youth, regardless of religion, race, gender or culture, reaching 58 million people in 119 countries worldwide. Founded in 1844, the World Alliance of YMCAs is the oldest and largest Movement for youth in the world. There’s more to us than you think.

First YMCA was
founded

The YMCA was founded in London England by 22 year-old George Williams and 11 of his friends. The YMCA was established as a refuge of prayer and bible study, and an escape from the hazards of life on the streets of London.

6 Jun
1844

YMCA Geneva
Founded

As a young man, Henry Dunant began organising prayer groups and bible studies from his home. He went on to co-found the YMCA of Geneva in 1852. His enthusiasm and passion to have a truly international movement led to the first ever International Conference. He would later go on to found the International Committee of the Red Cross, and win the first ever Nobel Peace Prize in 1901.

1852

YMCA comes to
New Zealand

The first YMCA in New Zealand was formed in Auckland circa March 1855. The first annual meeting of the YMCA Auckland was held in Durham street.

March
1855

Paris
Basis

The Paris Basis was adopted by the delegates of the First World Conference in Paris in 1855. "...and to associate their efforts for the extension of his Kingdom amongst young men. Any differences of opinion on other subjects, however important in themselves, shall not interfere with the harmonious relations of the constituent members and associates of the World Alliance."

1855

First YMCA World
conference

The first YMCA World conference was held in Paris. It brought together 99 young delegates from nine countries. The Conference sparked the beginning of the Central International Committee that would eventually become the World Alliance of YMCAs.

22 Aug
1855

YMCAs Nelson
established

The YMCA in Nelson was established in 1860.

1860

YMCA Dunedin
established

In Dunedin, work started in 1861 with Bible study and prayer groups. Later the activities included public evangelistic services.

1861

YMCA
Christchurch

YMCA Christchurch founded as a group which met for religious fellowship, prayer and Bible study, but later included educational classes, athletics and lectures in its activities.

1862

YMCAs Wellington
established

The YMCA in Wellington was established in 1866.

1866

YMCA Invercargill
established

The YMCA in Invercargill was established in 1876.

1876

First Meeting of YMCA
Australia and NZ

The first meeting of YMCA Australia and New Zealand was conducted in 1877.

1877

Paris Basis adopted by YMCA
Australia and NZ

The Second joint conference between YMCAs Australia and New Zealand was in Melbourne, where both nations adopted the Paris Basis.

1880

YMCA Taranaki
established

New Zealands's fourth YMCA was established in Taranaki in 1881.

1881

The National Council
of AU and NZ

The National Council of YMCAs of Australia and New Zealand was formed. This body was affiliated to the World Alliance.

1886

First female
employee

Ellen Brown became the first female employee of a YMCA and the first “boy’s work secretary.” She taught a night class that grew so rapidly that it became a department of the Y. Of course, women served in unpaid roles in the YMCA movement prior to this milestone, including as volunteer teachers and fundraisers.

1886

First basketball game
ever

The first ever game of basketball is played- Invented by James Naismith, who worked for the YMCA International Training School in Massachusetts, USA.

1 Dec
1891

Knighted by
Queen Victoria

George Williams was Knighted by Queen Victoria on the 50th anniversary of his founding of the YMCA. By the time he died in 1905, there were 45 YMCAs running all over the world with a membership of more than 700,000 people. Sir George Williams is buried in St Paul's Cathedral.

1894

William G. Morgan invents
Volleyball

William G. Morgan, an instructor with the YMCA in Massachusetts, USA, invents Volleyball, as a game with less physical contact than basketball.

1895

Father's Day
established

In 1909, Sonora Dodd attended a Mother's Day service at her church. Sonora’s mother had passed away during child birth and since then Sonora watched her father lovingly care for his six children and make sacrifices to give them all better lives. Sonora felt inspired to campaign for equal recognition of fathers, so she approached the YMCA and the Spokane Ministerial Alliance to establish Father's Day. The first Father's Day was celebrated on 19 June, 1910.

19 June
1910

New Building for YMCA
in Central Auckland

A new YMCA building was designed by notable Auckland architect Alexander Wiseman. Its grand scale and design reflects the importance of the YMCA in that period. On the corner of Kitchener Street and Wellesley Street East, the building was originally five storeys and included a gymnasium and accommodation with 88 beds. It was officially opened by the Governor of New Zealand.

30 Apr
1913

The War Years
YMCA and WWI

YMCA New Zealand staff had worked with the armed forces since late 19th century providing social, religious and physical recreation programmes for servicemen. This travelling kitchen saw service in Boulogne. By 1917 there were 15 NZ YMCA centres in the fighting area of France, every one within range of German shells and none more than 4 miles from the frontline.

1914 to
1918

YMCA and
World War I

Most of the allied armies on the western front had YMCA units attached to them for recreational, educational and comfort services. They organised an accommodation club in London for New Zealand soldiers and had field services in France. "Most soldiers stayed at the YMCA or the New Zealand Soldiers Club. This, a soldier declared, was `the best place I struck and the cheapest. The food was splendid and the beds good. Tariff, bed eightpence; breakfast eightpence; dinner one shilling and ten pence."

1915

National Council of YMCAs
of NZ established

In 1916, New Zealand withdrew from the joint Council and formed its own national body.

1916

Moina
Michael

YMCA member, Moina Michael, created the red flanders field poppy as a symbol of remembrance for those who served in World War I. Inspired by the famous wartime poem, Moina sold silk poppies to raise money for ex-soilders. Her campaign was so successful that the poppy has been adopted as an international symbol of remembrance.

1918

First Ever
Chatham Cup

The Chatham Cup is New Zealand's premier knockout tournament in men's association football. The first ever match was played in 1923 between Seacliff (Otago) and YMCA (Wellington). Seacliff won the first match, but YMCA took their revenge and won in 1925.

1923

First President of National
Council of YMCAs of NZ

Henry Walter Kersley was unanimously elected to be the first President of The National Counclil of YMCAs in New Zealand in 1926. He was a foundation member, Director of the Wellington Association for twenty five years before he became the chairman of the National committee in 1916. This certificate was awarded in 1927 to appreciate him for his long and valued services to the YMCAs of New Zealand.

24 Mar
1927

Olympic
Cup

The World Alliance of YMCAs was awarded the Olympic cup by the International Olympic Committee. The Olympic Cup was instituted by Pierre de Coubertin in 1906 and is awarded to an institution or association with a record of merit and integrity in actively developing the Olympic Movement.

1929

Basketball became
an Olympic sport

Basketball, a YMCA invention, became an Olympic sport at the Berlin Olympics. The first Olympic tournament was held on outdoor tennis courts. USA won gold, and has continued to dominate the sport since. From 1948, Olympic basketball tournaments were played indoors.

1936

YMCA and
World War II

During World War II, the YMCA again geared all of its efforts to helping New Zealand soldiers abroad. YMCA theatres sprang up in the Pacific theatres. The National Council of YMCAs operated a total of 218 centres, again providing full recreation services, canteens, hostels, mobile units and cinemas. This YMCA-run canteen London was a familiar meeting place for soldiers on leave.

1939

John Mott wins Nobel
Peace Prize

John Mott was born in New York on 25 May 1865. He was a student at Cornell University, and President of the student YMCA.
Mott organised the World’s Student Christian Federation in 1895 and went on to organise national student movements across the world.
John Mott received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1946 for his work in establishing and strengthening international Protestant Christian student organisations that worked to promote peace.

1946

Volleyball became
an Olympic sport

Volleyball, another YMCA invention, became an Olympic sport. The first gold medal for the Men’s division was won by the Soviet Union. The Women’s division was won by Japan, who were hosting that year.

1957

First
Training Centre

The National Council commenced the first Training Centre for full-time youth workers to be established in New Zealand.

1966

Kampala
Principles

The 6th World Council meeting in Kampala, Uganda, in July 1973, adopted the following declaration of principles:
1. To work for equal opportunity and justice for all.
2. To work for and maintain an environment in which relationships among people are characterised by love and understanding.
3. To work for and maintain conditions, within the Y and in society, its organisations and institutions, which allow for honesty, depth and creativity.
4. To develop and maintain leadership and programme patterns which exemplify the varieties and depth of Christian experience.
5. To work for the development of the whole person.

1973

Challenge
21

The World Alliance of YMCAs was founded in 1855 at its first World Conference, held in Paris. At that time, conference participants developed the YMCA’s first mission statement, the Paris Basis.
Since then, the YMCA’s mission statement has been interpreted to reflect contemporary realities, first in 1973 with the Kampala Principles, and most recently in 1998 with Challenge 21.

1973

First YMCA was
founded

The Y was founded in London England by 22 year-old George Williams and 11 of his friends. The Y was established as a refuge of prayer and bible study, and an escape from the hazards of life on the streets of London.

6 Jun
1844

YMCA Geneva
Founded

As a young man, Henry Dunant began organising prayer groups and bible studies from his home. He went on to co-found the Y of Geneva in 1852. His enthusiasm and passion to have a truly international movement led to the first ever International Conference. He would later go on to found the International Committee of the Red Cross, and win the first ever Nobel Peace Prize in 1901.

1852

YMCA comes to
New Zealand

The first Y in New Zealand was formed in Auckland circa March 1855. The first annual meeting of the YMCA Auckland was held in Durham street.

March
1855

Paris
Basis

The Paris Basis was adopted by the delegates of the First World Conference in Paris in 1855. "The Young Men’s Christian Associations seek to unite those young men who, regarding Jesus Christ as their God and Saviour, according to the Holy Scriptures, desire to be his disciples in their faith and in their life, and to associate their efforts for the extension of his Kingdom amongst young men. Any differences of opinion on other subjects, however important in themselves, shall not interfere with the harmonious relations of the constituent members and associates of the World Alliance."

1855

First YMCA World
conference

The first world conference for the Y was held in Paris. It brought together 99 young delegates from nine countries. The Conference sparked the beginning of the Central International Committee that would eventually become the World Alliance for the Y.

22 Aug
1855

YMCAs Nelson
established

The Y in Nelson was established in 1860.

1860

YMCA Dunedin
established

In Dunedin, work started in 1861 with Bible study and prayer groups. Later the activities included public evangelistic services.

1861

YMCA
Christchurch

The Y in Christchurch founded as a group which met for religious fellowship, prayer and Bible study, but later included educational classes, athletics and lectures in its activities.

1862

YMCAs Wellington
established

The Y in Wellington was established in 1866.

1866

YMCA Invercargill
established

The Y in Invercargill was established in 1876.

1876

First Meeting of YMCA
Australia and NZ

The first meeting of the Y Australia and New Zealand was conducted in 1877.

1877

Paris Basis adopted by YMCA
Australia and NZ

The Second joint conference between Y's Australia and New Zealand was in Melbourne, where both nations adopted the Paris Basis.

1880

YMCA Taranaki
established

The Y in Taranaki was established in 1881.

1881

The National Council
of AU and NZ

The National Council of YMCAs of Australia and New Zealand was formed. This body was affiliated to the World Alliance.

1886

First female
employee

Ellen Brown became the first female employee of the Y and the first “boy’s work secretary.” She taught a night class that grew so rapidly it became a department of the Y. Of course, women served in unpaid roles in the Y movement prior to this milestone, including as volunteer teachers and fundraisers.

1886

First basketball game
ever

The first ever game of basketball is played- Invented by James Naismith, who worked for the Y International Training School in Massachusetts, USA.

1 Dec
1891

Knighted by
Queen Victoria

George Williams was Knighted by Queen Victoria on the 50th anniversary of his founding of the Y. By the time he died in 1905, there were 45 YMCAs running all over the world with a membership of more than 700,000 people. Sir George Williams is buried in St Paul's Cathedral.

1894

William G. Morgan invents
Volleyball

William G. Morgan, an instructor with the Y in Massachusetts, USA, invents Volleyball, as a game with less physical contact than basketball.

1895

Father's Day
established

In 1909, Sonora Dodd attended a Mother's Day service at her church. Sonora’s mother had passed away during child birth and since then Sonora watched her father lovingly care for his six children and make sacrifices to give them all better lives. Sonora felt inspired to campaign for equal recognition of fathers, so she approached the Y and the Spokane Ministerial Alliance to establish Father's Day. The first Father's Day was celebrated on 19 June, 1910.

19 June
1910

New Building for YMCA
in Central Auckland

A new building was designed by notable Auckland architect Alexander Wiseman. Its grand scale and design reflects the importance of the Y in that period. On the corner of Kitchener Street and Wellesley Street East, the building was originally five storeys and included a gymnasium and accommodation with 88 beds. It was officially opened by the Governor of New Zealand.

30 Apr
1913

The War Years
YMCA and WWI

Staff at the Y New Zealand worked with the armed forces since late 19th century providing social, religious and physical recreation programmes for servicemen. This travelling kitchen saw service in Boulogne. By 1917 there were 15 NZ centres in the fighting area of France, every one within range of German shells and none more than 4 miles from the frontline.

1914 to
1918

YMCA and
World War I

Most of the allied armies on the western front had units from the Y attached to them for recreational, educational and comfort services. They organised an accommodation club in London for New Zealand soldiers and had field services in France. "Most soldiers stayed at the Y or the New Zealand Soldiers Club. This, a soldier declared, was `the best place I struck and the cheapest. The food was splendid and the beds good. Tariff, bed eightpence; breakfast eightpence; dinner one shilling and ten pence."

1915

National Council of YMCAs
of NZ established

In 1916, New Zealand withdrew from the joint Council and formed its own national body.

1916

Moina
Michael

The Y member, Moina Michael, created the red flanders field poppy as a symbol of remembrance for those who served in World War I. Inspired by the famous wartime poem, Moina sold silk poppies to raise money for ex-soilders. Her campaign was so successful that the poppy has been adopted as an international symbol of remembrance.

1918

First Ever
Chatham Cup

The Chatham Cup is New Zealand's premier knockout tournament in men's association football. The first ever match was played in 1923 between Seacliff (Otago) and the Y (Wellington). Seacliff won the first match, but the Y took their revenge and won in 1925.

1923

First President of National
Council of YMCAs of NZ

Henry Walter Kersley was unanimously elected to be the first President of The National Counclil of the Y in New Zealand in 1926. He was a foundation member, Director of the Wellington Association for twenty five years before he became the chairman of the National committee in 1916. This certificate was awarded in 1927 to appreciate him for his long and valued services to the Y's of New Zealand.

24 Mar
1927

Olympic
Cup

The World Alliance of YMCAs was awarded the Olympic cup by the International Olympic Committee. The Olympic Cup was instituted by Pierre de Coubertin in 1906 and is awarded to an institution or association with a record of merit and integrity in actively developing the Olympic Movement.

1929

Basketball became
an Olympic sport

Basketball, which was invented by the Y, became an Olympic sport at the Berlin Olympics. The first Olympic tournament was held on outdoor tennis courts. USA won gold, and has continued to dominate the sport since. From 1948, Olympic basketball tournaments were played indoors.

1936

YMCA and
World War II

During World War II, the Y again geared all of its efforts to helping New Zealand soldiers abroad. The Y theatres sprang up in the Pacific theatres. The National Council of the Y operated a total of 218 centres, again providing full recreation services, canteens, hostels, mobile units and cinemas. This canteen, run by the Y London, was a familiar meeting place for soldiers on leave.

1939

John Mott wins Nobel
Peace Prize

John Mott was born in New York on 25 May 1865. He was a student at Cornell University, and President of the student Y.
Mott organised the World’s Student Christian Federation in 1895 and went on to organise national student movements across the world.
John Mott received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1946 for his work in establishing and strengthening international Protestant Christian student organisations that worked to promote peace.

1946

Volleyball became
an Olympic sport

Volleyball, another invention of the Y, became an Olympic sport. The first gold medal for the Men’s division was won by the Soviet Union. The Women’s division was won by Japan, who were hosting that year.

1957

First
Training Centre

The National Council commenced the first Training Centre for full-time youth workers to be established in New Zealand.

1966

Kampala
Principles

The 6th World Council meeting in Kampala, Uganda, in July 1973, adopted the following declaration of principles:
1. To work for equal opportunity and justice for all.
2. To work for and maintain an environment in which relationships among people are characterised by love and understanding.
3. To work for and maintain conditions, within the Y and in society, its organisations and institutions, which allow for honesty, depth and creativity.
4. To develop and maintain leadership and programme patterns which exemplify the varieties and depth of Christian experience.
5. To work for the development of the whole person.

1973

Challenge
21

The World Alliance of YMCAs was founded in 1855 at its first World Conference, held in Paris. At that time, conference participants developed the Y’s first mission statement, the Paris Basis.
Since then, the Y’s mission statement has been interpreted to reflect contemporary realities, first in 1973 with the Kampala Principles, and most recently in 1998 with Challenge 21.

1973