Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. visited Chattanooga on Dec. 30, 1960. Prior to his speech at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium, King was the guest speaker at a dinner held at the James A. Henry Young Men’s Christian Association branch on Ninth (now M.L. King) Street.
That moment in local civil rights history is recalled with appreciation today by young students in the audience 65 years ago. It was a memorable occasion for the YMCA, which was organized in Chattanooga in 1871 and by 1929 offered three facilities: the main location on Georgia Avenue, built 1908; the “Working Men’s” center on Mitchell Avenue, 1929; and the African American branch on Ninth Street, 1929.
The Chattanooga Daily Times covered the Y’s 13th anniversary celebration in 1884, held at the Market Street Methodist Episcopal Church. Organizers included attorney Leander Elder; the Rev. W.J. Trimble of Second Presbyterian Church; the Rev. John Manker, former pastor of the Stone Church; and J.A. Lilsby, general secretary of the YMCA. After a choral anthem, scripture and prayer, the meeting included an announcement by Lilsby: “Of the 800 Young Men’s Christian Associations in the United States, Tennessee is home to 50. Only four states — New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois and Ohio — surpass Tennessee, and prior to 1875, only four associations existed here, Nashville, Knoxville, Columbia and Chattanooga.” The secretary acknowledged that early years were ones of struggle for the association in Chattanooga and affirmed “it has been steadily growing in strength and favor … taking a deeper, stronger hold on the affections of the people … becoming more and more a public necessity.”
The 1884 celebrants focused on the Chattanooga YMCA’s accomplishments and asked for “the continued confidence and support of our citizens.”
Evening speakers provided specific examples of Y programs positively affecting lives and improving the community.
The association had initially opened with adapted rooms at Eighth and Market, where it accommodated meetings, individual reading and studying. The library boasted over 600 volumes, 30 regular periodicals, newspapers from several cities, and both religious and secular journals of “varied character.” During summers, ice water was served, and during cooler evenings the fireplaces provided warmth and a pleasant setting for “young men to spend their leisure hours.” Visitors to the city found the facility a “quiet place to rest, read and write,” and meet new acquaintances. “In the parlor are games of checkers and chess, authors and other games of similar character.” Attendance doubled during 1883.
Informal receptions organized by the Auxiliary ladies, with funding defrayed by donations, had welcomed the general secretary to Chattanooga. The year 1883 ended with the Y providing a “safe” location for celebrating New Year’s Eve. The “Star Course” literary series offered season tickets for five lectures in 1884. Plans also included general addresses and musical events, with free admission to all members.
YMCA leaders partnered with area physicians and created a community outreach program, offering notice regarding “serious sickness” among young men. Volunteers functioned as “watchers” in visiting the sick and offering food and encouragement. Additionally, the organization filled an important void by supplying an updated list of “good boarding houses” and employment opportunities, “greatly benefiting those who have applied to us for advice and assistance.”
Secretary Lilsby reminded the attendees that, while many opportunities were offered “to develop the young man socially, morally, physically and mentally, yet the great aim of the Young Men’s Christian Association is the salvation of the young man’s soul and the development of his spiritual nature.” To accomplish the ultimate goal, the Chattanooga center held numerous meetings at which the “word of God has been presented and commended to all.” Equally important, members were encouraged to “engage in active work for the Master,” which included spending Sunday afternoons visiting men incarcerated in city and county jails and volunteering at “open air meetings” at Union Depot (Station) at Broad and Ninth streets.
From its earliest beginnings in Chattanooga, the YMCA engaged the community. By 1928, the organization had expanded its facilities and opened doors to new members. Henry King, president of the wholesale grocer King-Dabbs Company and a board member, encouraged financial contributions: “I am very strong in the belief that Chattanooga should provide immediately the necessary funds for the YMCA Industrial building. This class of citizenship is just as susceptible to the benefits … let’s give them that to which they are entitled.”
The “Working Men’s Center” in the Industrial building soon opened, as did the African American branch on Ninth Street.
Linda Moss Mines is the Chattanooga-Hamilton County historian. For more information on local history, visit Chattahistoricalassoc.org.