Category:YMCA of Allentown, Pennsylvania

The Allentown YMCA/YWCA is a longstanding community organization devoted to putting Christian Principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit mind and body. The facilities available for use through a small membership fee include: swimming pool volleyball/basketball courts cardio room weight room steam room child care center and youth fitness center. Also notable are the summer camps which are a popular option for community families

The original YMCA building in Allentown was located on the southwest corner of Center Square, it was first organized in 1858 as the Allentown Christian Association. It primarily held religious meetings in business firms in the center of city. The YMCA paused during the Civil War and reignited with passion for Mission and services in 1878 uninterrupted to the present day.

In 1875 it was reorganized as the Young Men's Christian Association under the leadership of Alfred J Brenig. The YMCA building was erected about 1885 at Center Square. In 1903, the Merchants Bank took over the First Floor and remained there until it opened its own building in 1920. In the early 1900s, the YMCA began to provide supervised recreation for urban children with swimming and gymnastic facilities, along with various summer Day and Overnight weekly camps.

The Allentown YMCA merged with the YWCA beginning in 1955, when an agreement was made for a joint YMCA/YWCA building. In 1957, the 85,000 square foot property at 15th and Elm Streets was bought, and plans for the building were announced in 1958. Groundbreaking for the building took place in May 1961. The building opened in November 1962, although some construction delays caused the formal opening to occur on January 30th, 1963.

The building replaced the 19th-Century YMCA building on the southwest corner of Center Square, and the YWCA building at 1208 Hamilton Streets. The old YMCA building was torn down in the spring of 1963.

Center square Location:

Object location	40° 36′ 05″ N, 75° 28′ 18″ W	View all coordinates using: OpenStreetMap	40.601389; -75.471667

425 South 15th Street Location:

Object location	40° 35′ 33″ N, 75° 29′ 06″ W	View all coordinates using: OpenStreetMap	40.592500; -75.485000