Mission

To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.

History

Back in the late 1880's, a great evangelistic meeting was held in Gastonia by William P. Fisk. As a result of this meeting, the local YMCA was organized. In their pursuit of looking for a place to meet, they contacted the owner of a dry goods store located at the corner of Marietta and Main St. in Gastonia. The owner, being sympathetic to the work of the Evangelical emphasis of the Y, told the men they could use the "air above his store" as a YMCA meeting location. A building was constructed at that location and paid for out of free-will contributions of the citizens. This location served as a meeting place for men to gather to have bible studies, study sessions, meetings and it also was the location for the first library in Gastonia. Some years later, the YMCA was disbanded but surely the spirit of the YMCA remained alive.

In the early to mid 1950's interest in having a YMCA provide programs for youth and families of the community was revived. The City of Gastonia gave a large piece of property, located at the corner of Franklin Blvd. and Trenton St., to the YMCA. The Y then conducted a capital funds drive and raised enough money to build a full facility YMCA (gym, pool, child care area, game room, locker rooms, meeting rooms and offices.) J.D. Hicks became the first General Secretary of the Gaston County YMCA and the Y was incorporated in 1956.

In 1975, the YMCA added a 2nd gymnasium and racquetball courts. In the early 1980's, J. D. Hicks retired as YMCA General Secretary and Bob Neely became the second Executive Director. As programs and services continued to grow, the YMCA held another capital funds drive in 1985 and they built a small pool and two racquetball courts. In 1989, Bob Neely retired from the Y and Jim Mercer became the third Executive Director in the history of the Y. With the support of several volunteers in the Eastern part of the county along with the help of Jim Mercer, the East Gaston YMCA was founded in the spring of 1992.

In the fall of 1992, Phill Morgan became the fourth Executive Director of the Gaston County YMCA. Soon afterwards, the YMCA officially added the word "Family" to its name (Now called The Gaston County Family YMCA). In 1994, planning was underway to renovate the Central Branch Facility. Following extensive study and preparations, the Central branch renovation began in 1996 and was completed in February of 1997.