King Religious Center (YMCA), Front Entrance

contributed by Rachel McCall/ Jennifer Baker.

In the fall of 1889 a branch of the YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association) was established on campus to help “people to live more effective Christian lives.” The YMCA building was built from 1912-1913, renovated in the 1950s, and demolished in 1975 to make way for an addition to the College of Design. The YMCA played an integral role in the development of the University as a source for building student relationships. The YMCA planned retreats, picnics, and socials for students. It hosted academic lectures, funded clubs like the international relations club, and held community service projects.

The YMCA also collaborated with the school to do many things that we now think of as the responsibility of the university. In the 1920s The YMCA and the Student Government published a State College Handbook, met freshman at the trains to help them get settled into the college, offered employment to students, opened a telegraph office for students to receive and call others for free, and was an information Bureau for people visiting the campus.

Since the YMCA was so active on campus a lot of the annual reports and letters contain information on past NC State Students. The annual reports tell of social events and committee members. There are letters sent out to old members asking about their current life so the groups could stay in touch. If you have family members that attended NC State you may find letters from them and their friends.

Interior View of Danforth Chapel, YMCA Building, 1956

The collection also contains information on the Danforth Chapel. Named for a generous donor who died before completion of the chapel, Danforth Chapel  was a Methodist Church where  students and community members were married by clergy employed by the YMCA. Information on individual ceremonies, including who provided flowers and receptions for the weddings, the names of the participants, and who officiated at the ceremonies are all part of the records of the Danforth Chapel.

For more information about the YMCA on campus, the Danforth Chapel, or any of the other past religious organizations on campus, please visit the Special Collections Research Center online at http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/specialcollections.

For more images like the one above, please visit Historical State at http://historicalstate.lib.ncsu.edu