Newport YMCA

Why is it that Newport, a city of 30,300 according to the census of 1910, has no Y.M.C.A.?

Why is it that cities of 10,000 and 15,000 people have handsome
Y.M.C.A. buildings and organizations that support them in fine style?

Why are the people of Newport not public spirited enough to start a Y.M.C.A. in their city and keep abreast of the times?

These are questions that remain unanswered in Newport, although there have been numbers of men interested in  in the proposition and several efforts made to start a movement for a Y.M.C.A.

It is not as if there had never been a Y.M.C.A. in the city, for those who have lived in the city for the past 15 years remember that there was a Y.M.C.A. located at the southeast corner of Fifth and Monmouth sts.

Old Y.M.C.A.

A Y.M.C.A. was started not that long ago that had some of the features of the up-to-date Y.M.C.A.s.  The reading rooms and other comforts were on the first floor of the big brick building that graces the corner, and in order to accommodate those with athletic inclinations, a large frame building was erected on Monmouth-st. adjoining it.

This was used as a gymnasium and while it does not compare with the up-to-date gyms of the present day Y.M.C.A.s it served its purpose.

The Y.M.C.A. lasted for a period of several years, according to the recollection of one of the older residents of the city, but it finally came to and end.

Since that time there has been no Y.M.C.A. in Newport, and the need for one is keenly felt by many citizens.

Some years ago a movement was started by some business-men in Newport to get one.  Efforts were made to get contributions at that time but the plan was eventually abandoned.

Then efforts were being made to get the money for the new Y.M.C.A in Cincinnati some time ago. A committee of men from Newport waited upon an expert at raising money from this purpose, but he could not consider a campaign in Newport at that time on account of ill-health.

Rev. T. W. Rainey, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Newport, in an interview expressed sentiments that are felt by a great many of the pastors of the various churches of Newport.

Pastors Want It

"I would like to see some effort made in Newport to establish a Y.M.C.A. and would do all in my power to help it along," said Rev. Rainey.  "Many of the churches are contemplating the erection of parish houses of social centers, but it would be far better if there were one big Y.M.C.A. in the city, as it would carry on the work of the various churches as separate institutions could not hope to do."

"I have never lived in a community that needs a Y.M.C.A. more than Newport does," continued Rev. Rainey. "The streets on these summer nights are line with young men who have no place to go, and consequently hang about on the streets.

"These boys are big enough to be interested in a Y.M.C.A. and would undoubtedly join if they had an opportunity.

Rev. Rainey stated that throughout the West there are many small cities of 10,000 to 15,000 that have superb buildings and support them in style.

from the Kentucky Post, January 5, 1915.