CHRISTCHURCH Y.M.C.A.

Press, Volume C, Issue 29600, 24 August 1961, Page 3

CHRISTCHURCH Y.M.C.A.

Establishment In 1862 Members of the staff of the Christchurch branch of the Young Men’s Christian Association had recently learned that the branch was established in 1882, and not in 1875 as previously believed, the general secretary (Mr R. J. O’Kane) said yesterday. Mr O'Kane said that when he came to Christchurch he looked up the history of the branch and could find records goipg back to 1875. The minutes of the annual meeting were available for that year.

He believed this was the first year the branch had existed until he received a request from Mr R. C. Lamb, of the Canterbury Public Library, for the minutes for the annual meeting in 1862. When Mr O’Kane told Mr Lamb that he did not think the branch existed then. Mr Lamb said that he had newspaper clippines about the branch for 1862.

Mr Lamb’s inquiry arose from his work of indexing old newspapers. Clippings in the “Lyttelton Times” gave reports of addresses, debates, and luncheons and also a report of a petition organised by the Y.M.C.A. to the Lyttelton Borough Council against the opening of public houses on Sundays, Mr O’Kane said. The reason for the loss of records, Mr O’Kane said, was that, there was a fire in the Y.M.C.A. headquarters in Cathedral square in 1883. The fact that the branch was established in 1862 made it closer in time to the branch at Auckland <1854) and .st Wellington (1856). Mr O’Kane said.

The date of its establishment is believed to be May 14, 1862. The first building owned by the branch was in Cambridge terrace. It was built in 1884 for £2OOO, with a gymnasium added for £l9l. This building is still used and is next to the present building at the corner of Hereford street and Cambridge terrace. The main building was erected in 1908. The present staff shortage would have an influence on what sort of celebrations would mark the centenary next year. Mr O’Kane said. Celebrations would not be for their own sake but be concerned with some worth while project, he said.