History of the Bessemer YMCA

  • 1919 Bessemer Memorial YMCA Committee was formed.
    • R.L. Coons employed as the first General Secretary and served until 1925.
  • 1920 Permanent Board of Directors elected.
    • Articles of Incorporation papers were filed.
    • Land purchased on 4th Avenue North for $11,500.
    • First Memorial Drive conducted.
  • 1924 Second campaign conducted to complete building, raising $100,000.
  • 1925 First YMCA building was completed.
  • 1926 Borrowed $75,000.
  • 1931 Building formally opened to serve the Bessemer and surround communities.
    • Foreclosed on building loan.
  • 1935 Board of Director obtained use of the building.
    • YMCA reopened to serve the Bessemer and surrounding communities.
  • 1946 Final loan payment was made to pay-off $180,958.07 of debt.
  • 1959 Y-Wood Field site secured from Woodward Iron Company.
  • 1962 Y-Wood Field formally dedicated.
  • 1971 27 acres of land purchased for the construction of a new facility.
  • 1974 Earl S. Usher employed as General Director.
  • 1976 Capital development program raises $1,098,000 to expand programs and services.
  • 1979 New family YMCA facility dedicated with 1,000 charter members.
  • 1982 Planned facility completed with 5,000 members enrolled.
  • 1985 Auxiliary gymnasium and fully equipped fitness center constructed.
  • 1988 Completed $200,000 expansion project to include additional program rooms and wellness space.  
  • 1989 Completed $300,000 expansion to include the dedication of the Fischbach Memorial Swimming Pool and bathhouse.
  • 1990 Wayne Chapman became full-time director of the Y-Wood branch.
  • 1991 General Director Earl S. Usher retired.
    • YMCA name officially changed to the Earl S. Usher Bessemer Area YMCA.
    • 7,800 members enrolled at year end.
  • 1992 Joey Rosser employed as General Director.
    • New multi-user computer system installed.
  • 1993 Bank drafts for membership were computerized through Y-Ware and posted directly to the operating account for the first time.
  • 1994 3,800 square foot expansion of YMCA facilities completed using $550,000 from Reserve Fund.  Included multi-purpose rooms, aerobic center, restrooms and child care space.
  • 1996 Wayne Chapman retired after 40 years of YMCA service.
    • Renovations completed to fitness center and tennis courts.
  • 1998 Lighting added to outdoor multi-purpose field.
    • Tony Adams serves as interim General Director/CEO.
  • 1999 Charles Trammell employed as General Director/CEO.
    • Partnership developed with Caraway Medical Center to develop “Total Wellness” program.
  • 2000 Long Range Planning Committee is organized.
  • 2001 Y-Wood Field facility sold.
    • New youth program building added and 45 additional parking spaces added.
  • 2002 Strategic Planning Committee organized.
  • 2004 Southcrest YMCA community pool and tennis courts opened.
    • 3 acres of land cleared at Earl S. Usher YMCA to expand programming.
  • 2005 7.6 acres of land purchased on Parkwood Road for future building.
  • 2006 Board of Director adopts the new corporate name of Legacy YMCA.
  • 2007 John R. Kirkland employed as Chief Executive Officer.
  • 2016 Michael A. Talerico employed as Chief Executive Officer
  • 2017 Board of Directors approves payment of $475,000 to become debt free.

Our Mission – Our Reason For Being

To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

Our Cause – Our Mission In Action

Strengthening the foundations of community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.