The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-01
Y. M. C. A. IS STRONG
 AT NEW DECATUR
MEMBERSHIP 1o47, IS LARGEST IN ALABAMA, PERHAPS IN SOUTH. RAILROAD MEN ARE GREATLY INTERESTED.

| New Decatur, March St.-(Specal.)-The 1047 members of the Young Mems Christian association in New Decatur constitutes the largest membership of any Young Mems Christian association in Alabama, | if not in the entire south
 | This is a railroad Y. M. C. A. There are only two of these in the entire state of Alabama, the other one being located at Selma.
 The Young Mems Christian association | of Birmingham has the second largest membership in Alabama and for some , time there was quite a friendly rivalry | between New Decatur and Birmingham as to which would reach the one thous- and mark in membership first. New De- | catur won and has now surpassed Bir-
 mingham by several members, the exact number is not at hand.
 The building of the Young Mems Christ ian association in New Decatur was erected at a cost of over $20,000 some three years ago. Of this amount the Louisville and Nashville Railroad com pany very generously contributed more than three-fourths and the citizens of this city donated the remainder. The building is large two-story frame structure ana stands in the central portion of the city. It is lighted with electricity, heated with furnaces and has sewer and water con nections The building contains baths, swimming pool, model gymnasium, reading rooms, various kinds of games and many other things of interest ana attraction to those who have an hour or two to spend. double alley bowling alley of the latest and most approved design has just been added. Besides all this the building contains first-class cafe where all kinds of lunches or regular meals are served at all hours. day and night The building also contains over thirty bed rooms. These are for the eX- elusive use of the railroad men. They are rented at 10 cents a night, or sleep as they call it.
 While the greater. number of the mem- bers are railroad men, still there are many business and professional men of the city who are members. The membership is constantly increasing. Many of the men make their homes at the building and un7 der the care of the genial secretary, George H. Winslow, they are given every joy and comfort of home life possible. The membership has already increased far beyond the expectation of the found- CTS of the Y. NJ. C. A. and as a result the building has become too small. The railroad company is now considering building a third story to the structure and it soon. perhaps, will decide to do so. When this is done number Of other bed rooms will be added and ample &C., commodation can then be had for all. The building contains a large lecture room where from time to time lectures | on various subjects are had as well as 1 social gatherings. On Sunday afternoons l religious meetings ars held in this hail 1 and religious addresses are delivered by l the various ministers of the city and | others Once month socials are given
 when the members are allowed to invite
 their lady friends. Bible classes and pray ] CT meetings are also regularly held.
 1 Throughout the week there are night i classes in mechanical drawing. engineer ] ing. electricity and other subjects ] This is one of the Decaturs most noted
 i institutions and one that is prized most l highly by all her citizens. It is an insti-
 tuition that is looked upon with pride by
 all Christian people of Alabama. The
 ]: interest that the railroad men take in
 :, the r. NJ C. A. is remarkable. and does
 away with the once-time belief of many 1 that railroad men did not care for such 1 things.