No. 1608 - Launceston - Young Men's Christian Association - "A Nursery for the Churches"
The ‘Young Men’s Christian Association’, an international movement for 'the spiritual, intellectual, social and moral improvement' reached Tasmania in the late 19th century.
The YMCA was founded in London in 1844 by George Williams and eleven friends. It emerged as a response to the social challenges faced by young men during the Industrial Revolution, offering a Christian alternative to the temptations of city life. Williams organised Bible study and prayer groups that eventually led to the formation of the YMCA. The initial focus of the YMCA was on the spiritual improvement of young men in trades. In 1891 YMCA's red triangle was adopted as a symbol for the whole person, representing the unity of the spirit, mind, and body which were core principles of the organisation’s Christian mission.
The Association was formally established in Launceston in 1880 followed by Hobart in 1882. It was open to all boys and young men and promoted all-round development by providing activities such as social meetings, concerts, debates, lectures, reading and games. It encouraging sport, including boxing, soccer, gymnastics, swimming and walking. In earlier times most of its activities were grounded in prayer meetings, Bible classes, worship and mission work.
The origin of the YMCA at Launceston dates to a visit by Dr. A. N. Somerville, of London in 1878. In 1879 progress was made with the arrival of Mr. J. Millar Smith, who had been assistant secretary of the Melbourne YMCA. The Young Men's Christian Association was formed at a public meeting at the Launceston Town Hall on 6 July 1880. An unexpectedly large number attended after a "helpful leading article" by the editor of The Examiner had appeared. Within 10 days 40 members had been enrolled, and by October the membership had risen to 120. Rooms were secured at Maddox's Buildings, George Street. A move was made to St. John Street in January 1881.
In July 1881 the YMCA made headlines following a massive explosion caused by leaking gas pipes. Alice Davis, the daughter of the buildings caretaker ignited the gas with a candle she was carrying while cleaning the rooms. Miraculously she survived without serious injury. A report in the Examiner described the extent of the damage:
“A serious gas explosion took place at the rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association, in St. John-street, early yesterday morning, which resulted in the almost total destruction of the building. The explosion was heard for a considerable distance, and, as may be imagined, excited much wonderment as to its cause, the surprise being heightened when it became known that the building occupied by the Association referred to had been blown up. The appearance presented by the ruins was very remarkable, the outer walls on the front and northern side being dislodged from the perpendicular, and the roof lifted from the eaves, and as the latter had settled down again, upon the shattered walls, its weight threatened to force the front wall out into the street and cause a complete collapse. To avert this shores were placed against the front wall, thus rendering it more secure….Much of the furniture was damaged by falling bricks and plaster, and unfortunately the piano has sustained serious injury. The ruins were barricaded shortly after the catastrophe, to prevent any accident from falling debris to passers-by or to members of the crowd that gathered round the accident”.
After the explosion the YMCA temporarily used the Oddfellows’ Hall until larger premises were secured in the Quadrant in February 1883. The Quadrant building was purchased for £1000 with an amount of £400 paid in cash. The issue of servicing the debt soon became a problem for the YMCA and financial issues were to become a recurring theme in the history of the organisation.
In 1883 a detailed report prepared for the YMCA’s Annual General Meeting reveals the extent of the work undertaken which had a strong evangelistic focus:
“Mission work has been from the beginning recognised as one of the leading aims of the Association.… Evangelistic services are carried on in the large room of the Association every Sunday evening, from 8 to 9 o'clock, by some of the young men workers of the Association and other kind Christian friends. These services are well attended by young men and lads, who roam along Brisbane-street instead of attending some place of worship….The Sabbath-school teachers' united prayer meeting, presided over by ministers, is held in the large room of the Association every third Sabbath in the month…Bible Class…the young men's Bible class is held on Monday evenings at 8 o'clock, and a very fair attendance is maintained. It is gratifying to notice that the interest taken in this class by the members Is increasing. The basis of the Association being undenominational all sections of the Church meet together in Christian unity…”.
The report also reveal’s that the YMCA’s library consisted of about 788 volumes and a Reading-Room supplied a variety of newspapers and magazines.
By 1888 the issue of finance was proving difficult and mortgagees were showing impatience. The YMCA Board decided to form the Association into a company. The Board also decided to erect a larger and more convenient building with the idea of further extending activities. To this end a building was erected on Brisbane Street with the foundation stone being ceremonially laid on Tuesday 18 March 1890.
The YMCA building was designed by Alexander North and constructed by contractor John Farmilo. A description of the new building was published in the Launceston Examiner:
“The new premises being erected for this Association are rapidly approaching completion, and very soon another handsome building will be added to the number already adorning our city….It is my intention to give some description of these buildings, and commencing with the ground floor we find that the first room to notice is on the left-hand side of the entrance hall (which will be tastefully tiled), and will lie a large, well-lighted news room. Here will be found all the leading colonial newspapers, with a good sprinkling of English magazines and papers. This room will be open to the public, who will have (so long as the privilege is not abused) free use of it for reading and writing purposes, but only members and associates are entitled to the other privileges of the institution….”
“Members will enter the baths and the gymnasium by a side door and covered passage, so that the physical training department is entirely separate from the rest of the rooms, thus preventing annoyance to any other meetings going on. The gymnasium is a good-sized, lofty room, and will be fitted with all the latest appliances. ….The plunge-bath will be a capital place for boys to learn the useful art of swimming without the usual risks; the bath will be quite large enough for this purpose, while the older members will also find it deep enough for a plunge, and no doubt in the warm months this will be greatly appreciated.…”.
“…Coming to the upper floor, the first to attract the attention will undoubtedly be the lecture hall, which will accommodate about 400 persons; this will be one of the best ventilated rooms in the city, and also one of the most comfortable. The ceiling is to be in panels of Huon pine and blackwood. The platform will seat about 40 persons…. In mentioning this room we are reminded of the most important work of the Association; I mean the mission branch. Gospel services still are to be held as each Sabbath evening, and will be conducted and addressed by young men. These services are specially for youths and young men who do not attend any place of worship. A single visit to Brisbane-street on any Sunday night will show the necessity of such meetings. I am certain that the board has no desire in any way to do church work. Its aim is rather to be a nursery for the churches, and to induce young men to leave the streets, and attend some place of worship. At one time it was complained that these services took away members too frequently from their own churches; but this complaint cannot in any fairness be made now, as the number of workers has so increased, so that they need only give up one Sunday evening each quarter to the Association’s work; a significant fact is that the most active workers in the Y.M.C.A. are amongst the best attendant members of their respective churches. The other meetings in connection with the Mission Branch are Bible class for adults on Monday evening, prayer meeting on Wednesday evening, and on Friday a Bible class for youths. A Christian workers' union and Saturday evening service, or temperance meeting will, I am told, be attempted in the new premises. The sailors' teas, I believe, are under this branch, and have been most successfully carried on for some years”.
Surprisingly, the new YMCA premises were only used for only three years as the debt accrued by the organisation resulted in the mortgagor taking over the property and in 1894 the building was sold to a dental surgeon.
There was a short revival of the YMCA in 1901 but by 1904 it was agreed to discontinue because of the acute financial position.
The outbreak of the Great War contributed to a successful revival in 1916. Due to the need of returning servicemen, the YMCA opened a ‘Soldiers Club’ in the Commercial Travellers' Association building on Brisbane street, opposite Kingsway. In 1917, the reinvigorated YMCA repurchased its original building at 42 Brisbane Street and the ‘Soldiers Club’ was relocated to the ‘new’ premises’.
In 1921 disaster struck when gale-force winds wreaked havoc across Launceston. The gymnasium at the rear of the YMCA building was one of several buildings severely damaged in the storm. The Daily Telegraph reported:
“The most serious damage occurred at the Y.M.C.A. in Brisbane-street, where the back wall of the gymnasium crashed in. At 9.30 the instructor and about 20 lads were in the gymnasium, some being on the rings and others practising basketball. The dropping into the room of a few pieces of mortar caused attention to be directed to the top of the walls. The roof is of galvanised iron, the two side and back walls of brick. Presently a brick dropped, and then it was noticed that the back wall was swaying. The instructor called the boys out, and just as they got out of the room the wall collapsed with a terrific crash. Portion fell into the room and the remainder outside….The roof creaked ominously and one of the side wails was cracked in several places towards the top. After 10 o'clock the wind subsided a good deal and an examination of the room showed that should the wind increase again there was every possibility of considerably more damage being done….”.
The Launceston floods of 1929 tested the YMCA again and the organisation responded by assisting flood victims. Through the years of the Great Depression and the Second World War the YMCA provided essential support to young men and the community in general.
In 1954 a new Memorial Hall was opened. By the 1960s the former Brisbane Street headquarters of the YMCA was considered no longer safe and in 1972 the building was demolished. In 1965 a new centre at Kings Meadows was built and in 1990 substantial extensions were made including a new hall. In 2022 the YMCA’s Kings Meadows premises closed after an effort to secure vital funding failed, bringing to an end a 142 year history.
In 2025 St Vincent de Paul Society signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Launceston City Council for the future use of the former Kings Meadows YMCA site as a community hub.
Sources:
Launceston Examiner, Saturday 2 July 1881, page 2
Launceston Examiner, Tuesday 20 February 1883, page 3
Launceston Examiner, Friday 3 August 1883, page 3
Daily Telegraph, Wednesday 15 January 1890, page 3
Tasmanian, Saturday 22 March 1890, page 30
Launceston Examiner, Thursday 5 June 1890, page 4
Launceston Examiner, Saturday 4 October 1890, page 3
Examiner, Thursday 27 April 1916, page 6
Examiner, Friday 28 April 1916, page 3
Examiner, Friday 23 March 1917, page 7
Examiner, Tuesday 19 March 1918, page 3
Daily Telegraph, Wednesday 13 July 1921, page 7
Mercury, Wednesday 13 July 1921, page 5
Weekly Courier, 14 July 1921
Examiner, Saturday 22 July 1950, page 7
Examiner, Tuesday 29 May 1951, page 6
Examiner, Saturday 6 November 1954, page 6
Green, Anne and Launceston (Tas.). Council. A model municipality : places of management, mentoring & medicine in Launceston / Anne Green Launceston City Council Launceston, Tas. 2007
The YMCA was founded in London in 1844 by George Williams and eleven friends. It emerged as a response to the social challenges faced by young men during the Industrial Revolution, offering a Christian alternative to the temptations of city life. Williams organised Bible study and prayer groups that eventually led to the formation of the YMCA. The initial focus of the YMCA was on the spiritual improvement of young men in trades. In 1891 YMCA's red triangle was adopted as a symbol for the whole person, representing the unity of the spirit, mind, and body which were core principles of the organisation’s Christian mission.
The Association was formally established in Launceston in 1880 followed by Hobart in 1882. It was open to all boys and young men and promoted all-round development by providing activities such as social meetings, concerts, debates, lectures, reading and games. It encouraging sport, including boxing, soccer, gymnastics, swimming and walking. In earlier times most of its activities were grounded in prayer meetings, Bible classes, worship and mission work.
The origin of the YMCA at Launceston dates to a visit by Dr. A. N. Somerville, of London in 1878. In 1879 progress was made with the arrival of Mr. J. Millar Smith, who had been assistant secretary of the Melbourne YMCA. The Young Men's Christian Association was formed at a public meeting at the Launceston Town Hall on 6 July 1880. An unexpectedly large number attended after a "helpful leading article" by the editor of The Examiner had appeared. Within 10 days 40 members had been enrolled, and by October the membership had risen to 120. Rooms were secured at Maddox's Buildings, George Street. A move was made to St. John Street in January 1881.
In July 1881 the YMCA made headlines following a massive explosion caused by leaking gas pipes. Alice Davis, the daughter of the buildings caretaker ignited the gas with a candle she was carrying while cleaning the rooms. Miraculously she survived without serious injury. A report in the Examiner described the extent of the damage:
“A serious gas explosion took place at the rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association, in St. John-street, early yesterday morning, which resulted in the almost total destruction of the building. The explosion was heard for a considerable distance, and, as may be imagined, excited much wonderment as to its cause, the surprise being heightened when it became known that the building occupied by the Association referred to had been blown up. The appearance presented by the ruins was very remarkable, the outer walls on the front and northern side being dislodged from the perpendicular, and the roof lifted from the eaves, and as the latter had settled down again, upon the shattered walls, its weight threatened to force the front wall out into the street and cause a complete collapse. To avert this shores were placed against the front wall, thus rendering it more secure….Much of the furniture was damaged by falling bricks and plaster, and unfortunately the piano has sustained serious injury. The ruins were barricaded shortly after the catastrophe, to prevent any accident from falling debris to passers-by or to members of the crowd that gathered round the accident”.
After the explosion the YMCA temporarily used the Oddfellows’ Hall until larger premises were secured in the Quadrant in February 1883. The Quadrant building was purchased for £1000 with an amount of £400 paid in cash. The issue of servicing the debt soon became a problem for the YMCA and financial issues were to become a recurring theme in the history of the organisation.
In 1883 a detailed report prepared for the YMCA’s Annual General Meeting reveals the extent of the work undertaken which had a strong evangelistic focus:
“Mission work has been from the beginning recognised as one of the leading aims of the Association.… Evangelistic services are carried on in the large room of the Association every Sunday evening, from 8 to 9 o'clock, by some of the young men workers of the Association and other kind Christian friends. These services are well attended by young men and lads, who roam along Brisbane-street instead of attending some place of worship….The Sabbath-school teachers' united prayer meeting, presided over by ministers, is held in the large room of the Association every third Sabbath in the month…Bible Class…the young men's Bible class is held on Monday evenings at 8 o'clock, and a very fair attendance is maintained. It is gratifying to notice that the interest taken in this class by the members Is increasing. The basis of the Association being undenominational all sections of the Church meet together in Christian unity…”.
The report also reveal’s that the YMCA’s library consisted of about 788 volumes and a Reading-Room supplied a variety of newspapers and magazines.
By 1888 the issue of finance was proving difficult and mortgagees were showing impatience. The YMCA Board decided to form the Association into a company. The Board also decided to erect a larger and more convenient building with the idea of further extending activities. To this end a building was erected on Brisbane Street with the foundation stone being ceremonially laid on Tuesday 18 March 1890.
The YMCA building was designed by Alexander North and constructed by contractor John Farmilo. A description of the new building was published in the Launceston Examiner:
“The new premises being erected for this Association are rapidly approaching completion, and very soon another handsome building will be added to the number already adorning our city….It is my intention to give some description of these buildings, and commencing with the ground floor we find that the first room to notice is on the left-hand side of the entrance hall (which will be tastefully tiled), and will lie a large, well-lighted news room. Here will be found all the leading colonial newspapers, with a good sprinkling of English magazines and papers. This room will be open to the public, who will have (so long as the privilege is not abused) free use of it for reading and writing purposes, but only members and associates are entitled to the other privileges of the institution….”
“Members will enter the baths and the gymnasium by a side door and covered passage, so that the physical training department is entirely separate from the rest of the rooms, thus preventing annoyance to any other meetings going on. The gymnasium is a good-sized, lofty room, and will be fitted with all the latest appliances. ….The plunge-bath will be a capital place for boys to learn the useful art of swimming without the usual risks; the bath will be quite large enough for this purpose, while the older members will also find it deep enough for a plunge, and no doubt in the warm months this will be greatly appreciated.…”.
“…Coming to the upper floor, the first to attract the attention will undoubtedly be the lecture hall, which will accommodate about 400 persons; this will be one of the best ventilated rooms in the city, and also one of the most comfortable. The ceiling is to be in panels of Huon pine and blackwood. The platform will seat about 40 persons…. In mentioning this room we are reminded of the most important work of the Association; I mean the mission branch. Gospel services still are to be held as each Sabbath evening, and will be conducted and addressed by young men. These services are specially for youths and young men who do not attend any place of worship. A single visit to Brisbane-street on any Sunday night will show the necessity of such meetings. I am certain that the board has no desire in any way to do church work. Its aim is rather to be a nursery for the churches, and to induce young men to leave the streets, and attend some place of worship. At one time it was complained that these services took away members too frequently from their own churches; but this complaint cannot in any fairness be made now, as the number of workers has so increased, so that they need only give up one Sunday evening each quarter to the Association’s work; a significant fact is that the most active workers in the Y.M.C.A. are amongst the best attendant members of their respective churches. The other meetings in connection with the Mission Branch are Bible class for adults on Monday evening, prayer meeting on Wednesday evening, and on Friday a Bible class for youths. A Christian workers' union and Saturday evening service, or temperance meeting will, I am told, be attempted in the new premises. The sailors' teas, I believe, are under this branch, and have been most successfully carried on for some years”.
Surprisingly, the new YMCA premises were only used for only three years as the debt accrued by the organisation resulted in the mortgagor taking over the property and in 1894 the building was sold to a dental surgeon.
There was a short revival of the YMCA in 1901 but by 1904 it was agreed to discontinue because of the acute financial position.
The outbreak of the Great War contributed to a successful revival in 1916. Due to the need of returning servicemen, the YMCA opened a ‘Soldiers Club’ in the Commercial Travellers' Association building on Brisbane street, opposite Kingsway. In 1917, the reinvigorated YMCA repurchased its original building at 42 Brisbane Street and the ‘Soldiers Club’ was relocated to the ‘new’ premises’.
In 1921 disaster struck when gale-force winds wreaked havoc across Launceston. The gymnasium at the rear of the YMCA building was one of several buildings severely damaged in the storm. The Daily Telegraph reported:
“The most serious damage occurred at the Y.M.C.A. in Brisbane-street, where the back wall of the gymnasium crashed in. At 9.30 the instructor and about 20 lads were in the gymnasium, some being on the rings and others practising basketball. The dropping into the room of a few pieces of mortar caused attention to be directed to the top of the walls. The roof is of galvanised iron, the two side and back walls of brick. Presently a brick dropped, and then it was noticed that the back wall was swaying. The instructor called the boys out, and just as they got out of the room the wall collapsed with a terrific crash. Portion fell into the room and the remainder outside….The roof creaked ominously and one of the side wails was cracked in several places towards the top. After 10 o'clock the wind subsided a good deal and an examination of the room showed that should the wind increase again there was every possibility of considerably more damage being done….”.
The Launceston floods of 1929 tested the YMCA again and the organisation responded by assisting flood victims. Through the years of the Great Depression and the Second World War the YMCA provided essential support to young men and the community in general.
In 1954 a new Memorial Hall was opened. By the 1960s the former Brisbane Street headquarters of the YMCA was considered no longer safe and in 1972 the building was demolished. In 1965 a new centre at Kings Meadows was built and in 1990 substantial extensions were made including a new hall. In 2022 the YMCA’s Kings Meadows premises closed after an effort to secure vital funding failed, bringing to an end a 142 year history.
In 2025 St Vincent de Paul Society signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Launceston City Council for the future use of the former Kings Meadows YMCA site as a community hub.
 |
| The now demolished YMCA building on Brisbane Street. Photograph: Libraries Tasmania |
 |
| YMCA premises were located in The Quadrant from 1883 to 1890. Photograph c.1890s : C.A. Hart; QVMAG, Registration number: QVM 1997:P:575 |
 |
| Brisbane Street, the location of the new YMCA building constructed in 1890. The building is visible beyond the Gunns tower on the left hand side of the street. Photograph: Libraries Tasmania |
 |
| The YMCA gymnasium destroyed by a storm in 1921 - Weekly Courier July 1921 |
.jpg) |
| The YMCA's Soldiers Club’ located in the Commercial Travellers' Association building on Brisbane street, opposite Kingsway. Photograph: Libraries Tasmania |
 |
| A programme of events for the week following the YMCA's Quadrant premises in 1883. Launceston Examiner, Tuesday 20 February 1883, |
Sources:
Launceston Examiner, Saturday 2 July 1881, page 2
Launceston Examiner, Tuesday 20 February 1883, page 3
Launceston Examiner, Friday 3 August 1883, page 3
Daily Telegraph, Wednesday 15 January 1890, page 3
Tasmanian, Saturday 22 March 1890, page 30
Launceston Examiner, Thursday 5 June 1890, page 4
Launceston Examiner, Saturday 4 October 1890, page 3
Examiner, Thursday 27 April 1916, page 6
Examiner, Friday 28 April 1916, page 3
Examiner, Friday 23 March 1917, page 7
Examiner, Tuesday 19 March 1918, page 3
Daily Telegraph, Wednesday 13 July 1921, page 7
Mercury, Wednesday 13 July 1921, page 5
Weekly Courier, 14 July 1921
Examiner, Saturday 22 July 1950, page 7
Examiner, Tuesday 29 May 1951, page 6
Examiner, Saturday 6 November 1954, page 6
Green, Anne and Launceston (Tas.). Council. A model municipality : places of management, mentoring & medicine in Launceston / Anne Green Launceston City Council Launceston, Tas. 2007
Comments
Post a Comment