Boston Young Men's Christian Union
Encyclopedia
Boston Young Men's Christian Union is an historic building at 48 Boylston Street in Boston
, Massachusetts
and a liberal Protestant youth association. When Unitarians
were excluded from the Boston YMCA
(which was evangelical) they founded the Boston YMCU in 1852. The building was designed by Nathaniel Jeremiah Bradlee
, constructed in a Gothic style
in 1876, and added to the National Historic Register in 1980. Boston YMCU owned Camp Union, a 600 acres (242.8 ha) camp
, in Greenfield, New Hampshire
(1929–1993) (now Barbara C. Harris Camp & Convention Center
of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts
). Since its renovation in 2003 the Boston YMCU is the Boylston Street Athletic Club.
rooms; members; benevolent action; public worship and religious study. Sunday religious services were maintained, seats in churches furnished
to young men, teachers supplied for Sunday schools and missions, boarding-places recommended, employment secured, savings deposited, and practical benevolent work engaged in. In 1875, there were classes in book-keeping, German, French, parliamentary law, vocal music, astronomy, elocution, and Shakespeare; monthly socials were held, at which many of Boston's most cultured women were present; and a Christmas and New Year's festival was given to poor children. In 1895, we note, 2,318 children and 267 adults were sent to the country for short periods, and carriage and other drives for shut-ins and convalescents to the number of 8,070 provided. The report for 1900 showed that the secular classes had grown in variety and attendance, that the library had 15,000 volumes, that the membership was 5,554, that religious services had been held every Sunday except during July and August, and that over $18,000 had been expended in drives, bay trips, and country visits for the poor.
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
and a liberal Protestant youth association. When Unitarians
American Unitarian Association
The American Unitarian Association was a religious denomination in the United States and Canada, formed by associated Unitarian congregations in 1825. In 1961, it merged with the Universalist Church of America to form the Unitarian Universalist Association.According to Mortimer Rowe, the Secretary...
were excluded from the Boston YMCA
YMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
(which was evangelical) they founded the Boston YMCU in 1852. The building was designed by Nathaniel Jeremiah Bradlee
Nathaniel Jeremiah Bradlee
Nathaniel Jeremiah Bradlee was a prominent 19th century Boston architect.-Life:Bradlee was born in Boston to Elizabeth Davis and Samuel Bradlee. He married Julia Rebecca Weld on April 17, 1855...
, constructed in a Gothic style
Gothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
in 1876, and added to the National Historic Register in 1980. Boston YMCU owned Camp Union, a 600 acres (242.8 ha) camp
Summer camp
Summer camp is a supervised program for children or teenagers conducted during the summer months in some countries. Children and adolescents who attend summer camp are known as campers....
, in Greenfield, New Hampshire
Greenfield, New Hampshire
Greenfield is a town in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 1,749 at the 2010 census. Greenfield is home to the Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center, to Greenfield State Park, and to part of the Wapack Trail.- History :...
(1929–1993) (now Barbara C. Harris Camp & Convention Center
Barbara Clementine Harris
Barbara Clementine Harris was the first woman ordained a bishop in the Anglican Communion.-Education:...
of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts
Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts
Episcopal Diocese of MassachusettsThe Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts is one of the nine original dioceses of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America....
). Since its renovation in 2003 the Boston YMCU is the Boylston Street Athletic Club.
Goal (1852)
The BYMCU goal in 1852 was to furnish the young men of Boston and vicinity a place of pleasant resort where the influences are beneficial and elevating, to provide them with opportunity of self-improvement and healthful recreation, at little or no expense; to give them opportunities for doing good, by engaging in charitable and benevolent work.Members
All young men of good moral character, and claiming to believe in the truths of Christianity, without distinction of sect or party, shall be eligible as members of this society.Activities
The report of 1871 shows the Union organized, with committees as follows: finance; lectures, classes, and entertainments; library;rooms; members; benevolent action; public worship and religious study. Sunday religious services were maintained, seats in churches furnished
to young men, teachers supplied for Sunday schools and missions, boarding-places recommended, employment secured, savings deposited, and practical benevolent work engaged in. In 1875, there were classes in book-keeping, German, French, parliamentary law, vocal music, astronomy, elocution, and Shakespeare; monthly socials were held, at which many of Boston's most cultured women were present; and a Christmas and New Year's festival was given to poor children. In 1895, we note, 2,318 children and 267 adults were sent to the country for short periods, and carriage and other drives for shut-ins and convalescents to the number of 8,070 provided. The report for 1900 showed that the secular classes had grown in variety and attendance, that the library had 15,000 volumes, that the membership was 5,554, that religious services had been held every Sunday except during July and August, and that over $18,000 had been expended in drives, bay trips, and country visits for the poor.