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HISTORY
The initial attempt
to start the YMCA in Fort Cochin, much before the present YMCA came
to being, by Mr. Dixon (An Englishman) who was the secretary of Kottayam
YMCA, did not materialize as there was no proper leadership to nurture.
A group of young
men consisting of M/s. T.C. Varkey, K.K. Alexander, T.P. Mathew, P.T.
Varghese, P.C Zechariah, A.K. Mathew and Korula George, with lot of
enthusiasm and Christian commitment met at Mr. Gavaskar's Dutch building
on 6th June 1956 and after a deliberation they planted the seed of present
YMCA in Fort Cochin. A room was hired for YMCA operation in the same
building during and started boys division, reading room and few indoor
games.
Click here to
View Members Of the YMCA FORTCOCHIN 1956
YMCA had good response
from the community during its child hood. The leadership felt the need of
starting a hostel for young men working in various companies in Fort Cochin
area and started a working men's Hostel in a rented building belonging to
Koder family on Napier Street in 1957. Mr. V.T. Cherian was the first
professional secretary appointed to look after the day to day affairs of
YMCA in 1957, while Mr. A.K. Mathai, was the Hon. Secretary from 1956 to
1960. Mr. P.T Varghese one of the directors of YMCA then, took the responsibility
of running a canteen.
The need of own land
and building gave the inspiration to buy 50 cents land from Mrs. Gladys
Koder at Kunnumpuram in late 50's and built a thatched shed there and started
the functioning of YMCA. A 65 cents land adjacent to YMCA campus was purchase
from the same owner later in the 60s. The contributions from Mrs. Heinz, a
tourist from USA, passing through Cochin during her holiday visit, was the first
major donation for the present building. Later with the Brotherhood aid from
international committee of YMCAs of USA and Canada and the support of the
well-wishers during the year 1956-1964 gave a new face to Fort Cochin YMCA.
We salute all our former
leaders and predecessors who had worked hard for lifting Fort Cochin YMCA to
its present glory.
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