The Historic YMCA Building - George Town, Madras

George Town or the Original Madras, is crowded, congested, and challenging to traverse or even breathe! However, for heritage enthusiasts, it is like a heaven full of historic buildings. One such landmark structure is the impressive Jaina Jaipuri-style YMCA building on NSC Bose Road opposite the High Court Complex. 

The Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) was founded by George Williams and ten young Christians in London on 6th June 1844. The association's objective was to improve the spiritual condition of young men through Bible classes and prayer meetings.

India got its first YMCA within thirteen years in Kolkata. In 1890, David McConaughy, a young American from the International Committee of the American YMCAs, arrived in Madras and founded the first YMCA in South India. The construction of the building started in 1895. GST Harris, the government architect, was assigned as the designer. Namperumal Chetti, the famous building contractor of Madras, was given this contract. As per the advice from the then Governor Havelock, an Indian style of detailing was planned. 

Due to financial problems, it took about five years to complete the construction. Ultimately, it was completed with financial aid of USD 40,000 from John Wanamaker, the then Post-Master General of the US. In 1900 CE, Governor Havelock inaugurated the building. Thus, this 120+ years old heritage structure is one of the earliest American-aided buildings in entire India.

The four-storeyed sandstone structure attracts visitors with its highly decorated facade. It has projecting balconies supported by octagonal posts. The windows look lovely due to the foliated arches. The parapet wall with slender round turrets topped by umbrella-like canopies resembles Mughal monuments. 

When he was just Mr. Gandhi from South Africa, Mahatma Gandhiji delivered a lecture at the McConnaughy Hall in this building in 1915. 

Happy travelling.