The Y.M.C.A. (Young Men's Christian Association)emphasizing Mind, Body & Spirit, was founded in London in 1844. The Y.M.C.A. came to Columbus, GA on November 18, 1856. The Columbus committee (P.H.Colquitt, W.Gesner & S.Boykin), calling themselves "the Committee of the Young Men's Christian Association", invited young men of Columbus to an organizational meeting. Two months later the Association had 30 members & grew to 70 members by July 1857!