Gaston County Family YMCA

HISTORY

Back in the late 1880’s, a great evangelistic meeting was held in Gastonia by William P. Fisk.  As a result of this meeting, the local YMCA was organized. In their pursuit of  looking for a place to meet, they contacted the owner of a dry goods store located at the corner of Marietta and Main St. in Gastonia.  The owner, being  sympathetic to the work of the Evangelical emphasis of the Y, told the men they could use  the “air above his store” as a YMCA meeting location.   A building was constructed at that location and paid for out of free-will contributions of the citizens. This location served as a meeting place for men to gather to have bible studies, study sessions, meetings and it also  was the location for the first library in Gastonia.  Some years later, the YMCA was disbanded but surely the spirit of the YMCA remained alive.

In the early to mid 1950’s interest in having a YMCA provide programs for youth and  families of the community was revived.  The City of Gastonia gave a large piece of property, located at the corner of Franklin Blvd. and Trenton St., to the YMCA.  The Y then  conducted a capital funds drive and raised enough money to build a full facility YMCA  (gym, pool, child care area, game room, locker rooms, meeting rooms and offices.)  J.D. Hicks became the first General Secretary of the Gaston County YMCA and the Y was incorporated in 1956.

In 1975, the YMCA added a 2nd gymnasium and racquetball courts.  In the early 1980’s, J. D. Hicks retired as YMCA General Secretary and Bob Neely became the second Executive Director.  As programs and services continued to grow, the YMCA held another capital funds drive in 1985 and they built a small pool and two racquetball courts.  In 1989, Bob Neely retired from the Y and Jim Mercer became the third Executive Director in the history of the Y.  With the support of several volunteers in the Eastern part of the county along with the help of Jim Mercer, the East Gaston YMCA was founded in the spring of 1992.

In the fall of 1992, Phill Morgan became the fourth Executive Director of the Gaston County YMCA.   Soon afterwards, the YMCA officially added the word “Family” to its name (Now called The Gaston County Family YMCA).  In 1994, planning was underway to renovate the Central Branch Facility.  Following extensive study and preparations, the Central branch renovation began in 1996 and was completed in February of 1997. 

Also during this time a capital campaign was conducted to raise funds to build a new YMCA in the eastern part of the county.  The goal of  $4.6 million dollars was attained and the new Robert Lee Stowe Jr. Family YMCA was completed in July 2000.  Following three years of cultivation, programming and working with volunteers, the Cherryville Family YMCA became the third branch in the association effective November 2003. 

In October 2003, the YMCA embarked on a major capital campaign to build a new branch facility in Southeast Gastonia and a new facility in Cherryville.  Instead of building a new Southeast Branch  In January 2004,  the YMCA purchased the Gaston Athletic Club  fitness facility in Southeast Gastonia.  This location was renamed The South Gaston Family YMCA and became the 4th branch in the association.

Also in January, the YMCA entered into a lease agreement with Adelphotis Arahoviton Karyae (a Greek organization based in Charlotte) to operate the 52-acre Karyae Park located near the base of Crowder’s Mountain in Gaston County.  That location became the 5th branch in the association and was named The Karyae Park YMCA Outdoor Family Center.

Throughout the 46 year history of the Gaston County Family YMCA, the remaining constant has been the commitment to the Christian Mission of the YMCA and the outstanding leadership provided by the thousands of volunteers and staff.   Together they have taken the YMCA in Gaston County to the next levels in order to ensure area youth and families the opportunity to experience the YMCA mission which is to “put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy a spirit, mind and body for all.”