George Williams (1821-1905) YMCA

Sir George Williams was an English philanthropist and founder of the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA).

The YMCA is the oldest and largest youth charity in the world. Its aim is to support young people to belong, contribute and thrive in their communities.

George was born into a farming family in Dulverton, Somerset, England. He was youngest of 7 surviving sons of Amos and Elizabeth Williams. He was baptized into the Church of England.

His family sent him to Bridgewater to be an apprentice at Henry William Holmes’ draper shop. 1837 saw him change from Anglicanism to the Zion Congregational Church.

1841 he moved to London and worked at Hitchcock& Roger’s drapers shop. He attended the King’s Weigh House Congregational Church. 3 years later(1844) he became departmental manager.

On the 6 th June 1844 George, aged just 22, gathered 11 other young drapers into the living quarters of Hitchcock & Rogers to create a place that would not tempt young men to sin. The name . Young men’s Christian Association (YMCA) was suggested by Christopher W. Smith. It promoted Muscular Christianity. George Hitchcock, George’s boss, and future father-in-law, was one of the first converts and contributors to the new association. He became the associations first treasurer. ( See* Founding of YMCA* for full list)

In 1853 he married Hitchcock’s daughter Helen Jane Maunder. Hitchcock and taken into partnership at the drapers. When Hitchcock died in 1863 George became sole owner.

The YMCA grew. It spread across London. It spread the USA. It reached Canada in 1851. In 1855 it went global. The first YMCA World Conference was organized. This produced the ’ Paris Basis’ - an international agreement about the aims of the YMCA. by 1905 there were 45 YMCAs across the world with a membership of 700,000.

In 1894, YMCA’s Silver Jubilee year, George was knighted by Queen Victoria and given the Freedom of the City of London.

Sir George died in 1905. The funeral took place in St. Paul’s Cathedral on 14th November, 2,600 attended. He was buried in St. Paul’s Cathedral.
There is a commemorative stain glassed window in Westminster Abbey.

The YMCA, every year, on Founders Day - 6th June, remember and celebrate the 22 year old, George Williams, who created the largest youth charity in the world.

Sources
YMCA
wikipedia