The Bath Area Family YMCA had its beginnings in May 1856 at the Central Church in Bath, Maine (now the Chocolate Church).  We are one of the oldest YMCAs in the country.  The first meetings consisted of religious exercises, Bible classes, debates, lectures and essay readings.  Meetings were held at various locations in the city, primarily churches. In 1894 the YMCA moved to its own building on Summer Street.  The building was financed by Galen Moses, who was president of the Association at the time.

Basketball was the primary activity at the YMCA for many years.  All of the basketball in town was played at the YMCA until a gym was added at the high school. Other programs included roller skating, bowling, pool and volleyball.  The YMCA also had social and service clubs as well as a hotel.  It wasn’t until 1962 that the swimming pool was added to the YMCA facility. A new addition of a larger gym and fitness room was completed in 1973.

The most recent event in the history of the YMCA has been our move to our new facility in April 2001 on Centre Street.  Through all of the changes over the past 150 years, the most important component of the YMCA has been its members.  They are the ones who have shaped the YMCA to what it is now—a integral part of the community.