The Ninth Street Branch Young Men's Christian Association had its beginning through the efforts of a small prayer bank group in 1901. The first home was a small frame building. In its infancy, the destiny of the work was guided by a committee of Negro Citizens of the community. Among this group were Mr. W. E. Clark, Mr. S. R. Marshall, Mr. S.W. Yarbrough and Dr. R. H. Cobb.

Under the direction of this group with the aid of citizens of the community, activities as a small infancy institution of its nature were carried on by the organization for boys and young men in the city. Most of the activities conducted - on the outside of the small frame building, under the direction of volunteer workers.

In the year of 1907, Mr. George Foster Peabody and his brothers, Royal Canfield Peabody and Charles Jones Peabody made it possible for the erection of the building on the property purchased by Negro citizens in 1901. This was the first modern constructed and equipped Negro YMCA in the South and the second in the country.  It had its existence in Columbus, Georgia in the year of 1907.
                    Ninth Street Branch YMCA 1907-1963

It is impossible to relate the immeasurable services that came out of this organization for boys, young men, men, girls and women of Columbus, Georgia and the surrounding communities. From the years of 1907 to 1925, the Ninth Street Branch Young Men's Christian Association carried on valuable services for men, young and old in the community.

During the year of 1925, additional improvements were made on the building costing $12,500 received from funds contributed by the Army and Navy Board of the YMCA, and local citizens. At that time Mr. E. E. Farley, Executive Secretary of the Army and Navy YMCA, at Fort Benning, Georgia was associated with the Branch. Mr. Farley's assistance was very profitable in all departments of the work of the Association.

In the early 1940's under the guidance of Mr. F. R. Lampkin, along with other citizens including Mr. G. F. Rivers who was an active member of the Association from its infancy, the Association became a member of the Community Chest of this city.

Serving in the position of Chairman of the Board of Management over the years are Dr. E. H. Mayer, Professor S. R. Marshall, Dr. R. H. Cobb, Dr. E. J. Turner, Professor W. H. Spencer, Dr. M. L. Taylor, Dr. E. B. Coffee, Dr. K. H. Terry, and Mr. F. R. Lampkin, Colonel M. R. Ashworth, all serving under adverse circumstances. Among those who served as Secretaries were as follows:  Professor A. Z. Kelsey, Professor A. Joseph Allen, Rev. A.G. Clyde Randall, Mr. Thomas B. Neely, Mr. Joseph Rhetta, Professor R. D. Kelsey, Professor G. F. Rivers, Mr. K. D. Reddick, Mr. J. L. Johnson, Mr. H. R. Williams, Mr. O. R. Bryant, Mr.  D. D. Moody and Mr. W. S. Douglass.

The years from 1944 to 1948 added untold services and activities for all of the surrounding community and those who entered doors of the Ninth Street Branch. During those years, the YMCA brought into her bosom men and boys who had not known other activities during their stay of ten to fifteen years in the city. It had a growing membership, growing activities and growing services on all sides of its symbol (the triangle). The activities of the Ninth Street Branch YMCA were nationally known at that time. It was affiliated with the national YMCA programs throughout the country. The boys' work increased so rapidly that more space had to be sought to accommodate them.  In the fall of 1948, a department was made available exclusively for boys.

The work of the Ninth Street Branch YMCA was not confined to the branch on Ninth Street, but the program carried out its activities into the communities where it was difficult for the boys to visit the Association often.

The Association served some 7,000 people during the year of 1948, including members and non-members, both male and female, of this city and others cities throughout the country.

The history would not be complete if I failed to mention Mr. G. F. Rivers, who was one of the greatest builders of manhood among Negro youth in the city.  Professor Rivers was one of the oldest active members of the Ninth Street Branch Young Men's Christian Association. Being one of those who served in an official capacity from the early stages of the Association. Professor Rivers was the only active member in the Association who saw and helped the Association grow from its infancy.

By Rev. H. H. Weldon, Former Membership Secretary, Ninth Street Branch YMCA