Historic Philadelphia Black-owned YMCA celebrates 110 years of service

On Saturday, December 21, 2024, The Christian Street YMCA celebrated 110 years of service in Philadelphia to acknowledge its dedication to the city’s community and its efforts to promote a social center for its residents.
Located on 1724 Christian Street in South Philadelphia, The Christian Street YMCA became the first Black YMCA to own its building. Since its founding in 1889, it has been a center for residents of the black community in Philadelphia and a place for local leaders to meet with the community.
The YMCA is based in a predominantly black area in South Philadelphia. It is a well-known and recognized part of the community as a center for locals to learn and socialize.
“We are so proud to mark 110 years of service to this vibrant community. But more so, of upholding our long-standing legacy as a welcoming place for Philadelphians of all backgrounds. After 11 decades, we’re more than a gym; we are an essential partner in this community’s health and well-being. And we look forward to many more years of fun, fitness & friendship together,” says Ronna Kassel, Executive Director of the Christian Street YMCA, in their press release.
The center has grown in members and activities for all ages, such as Boxing, an Indoor Pool, Gymnasium Courts, a fitness center, a Babysitting center, and child learning programs with over 8,000 members.
Many former center members attended the event to share their experiences as children who grew up in it. They talked about the center being a sanctuary from everything outside its walls.
These members went on to do great things, like basketball players, lawyers, and community outreach leaders. They attributed their growth to the community center and saw it as a big part of their life.
“It was a safe place, a sanctuary, from the gangs that would hang outside on the streets, and they never once brought their business here,” one former member said. “It was a mother, father, and older sibling to us all, and there was no fighting or arguments when you entered the building.”
Most members talked about coming to the center every day after school to do homework, learn to swim, play basketball, or just hang out till their guardians came to get them. They also brought memorable pictures and newspaper cutouts of them in the center when they were younger to share with the center for their archive collection.
The Christian Street YMCA hopes to inspire more young people through its programs and the stories of its past members to achieve great things. They plan to continue to grow in members and programs to assist and educate more people in the new.
The event concluded with gratitude from the members of the center, thanking all the individuals who came to the YMCA for their support in keeping the building and program going for 110 years.