Old Montreal in Montréal, Québec — Central Canada (French-Canadian)
First Young Men's Christian Association on the American Continent
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 20, 2024
1. First Young Men's Christian Association on the American Continent Marker
This tablet commemorates the organization on this site of the First Young Men’s Christian Association on the American Continent November 25th 1851.
Erected on the occasion of the Jubilee Celebration June 8th 1901
Erected 1901.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations. A significant historical date for this entry is November 25, 1851.
Location. 45° 30.087′ N, 73° 33.501′ W. Marker is in Montréal, Québec. It is in Old Montreal. It is at the intersection of Rue Sainte-Hélène and Rue des Récollets, on the right when traveling west on Rue Sainte-Hélène. The marker is mounted on the southwest corner of the building at this location. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 449 Rue Sainte-Hélène, Montréal QC H2Y 2K9, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and Rupert’s Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Édifice Wilson Chambers / Wilson Chambers (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); William Molson (about 150 meters away); La première réunion du Rotary Club de Montréal / The first meeting of the Rotary Club of Montreal (about 180 meters away); Caserne 1 (about 210 meters away); Maison de Mère d'Youville (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); Mère Marie-Marguerite d'Youville (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); La Grande Paix de Montréal / The Great Peace of Montréal (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); Joseph Xavier Perrault (approx. 0.2 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Montréal.
More about this marker.
this page online
Also see . . .
1. YMCA work in Canada records, 1851-1989.
Excerpt: The first Young Men's Christian Association in North America was the Montreal Association, which opened its doors on November 25th, 1851, shortly before YMCAs started up in Boston, New York, and Toronto. The North American YMCAs formed a confederation in 1854, and the World Alliance of YMCAs was formed in 1855. The YMCA's Canadian national administrative headquarters were located in Montreal until the formation of the separate National Council of YMCAs of Canada in 1912 with headquarters in Toronto.(Submitted on March 24, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Origins of the YMCA (Encyclopedia.com).
Excerpt: In 1844 unhealthy social conditions in England at the end of the Industrial Revolution led George Williams (1821–1905) to begin a Bible study and prayer group for the men who roamed the streets searching for jobs. The idea caught on, and other groups formed throughout Great Britain and other parts of the world.(Submitted on March 24, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)In 1851 the first YMCA in North America was established in Montreal, Canada, on November 25, followed by the first YMCA in the United States in Boston, Massachusetts, on December 29.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 20, 20242. First Young Men's Christian Association on the American Continent MarkerThe marker is partially obscured by the light pole directly in front of it.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 20, 2024
3. First Young Men's Christian Association on the American Continent Marker
The marker is mounted near ground level on the right side of the Hôtel Gault southwest corner entrance.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 21, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 78 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 24, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
