History of MoHUB (Montrose YMCA)

Our local YMCA was initially formed as far back as 1866 as “a Christian association for the improvement of the spiritual and mental condition of young men”. As part of the Dundee District within the national structure, meetings were held in various rented properties on the High Street, covering literary and musical subjects, as well as religious themes. By the 1880s, Montrose had the largest YMCA membership of any in Scotland outside the major cities and had hosted the national annual conference twice. The present Murray St site was purchased (for £200) in 1901. Contracts, to the total value of £1656, for the building were awarded in 1907, and it was formally opened in 1908, much as we see it today. All funds were raised locally, and we own the building.

Over the years, the “YM” has served the people of Montrose and district in many ways, most recently, of course, with the focus on fully inclusive youth work following modern practice. In earlier times, to take but one example, the organisation did much to support locally stationed forces during both world wars by providing both leisure facilities and catering (a reported 10,000 people served per week in winter 1944!). Sporting activities (e.g. football, golf, athletics, table tennis and boxing) were strongly promoted for many years, whilst reading and debating gradually gave way to drama and dance. Many will remember the Saturday night discos of the 1970s.

In addition to our own programmes, we have provided facilities for use by other clubs and groups serving the wider population for many years, as MoHUB will continue to do in the future.