The Mission of the British Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia
The Mission of the British Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia

Author(s): Radmila Radić
Subject(s): History, Cultural history, Interwar Period (1920 - 1939)
Published by: Institut za noviju istoriju Srbije
Keywords: British Young Men's Christian Association; YMCA; Kingdom of Yugoslavia; Yugoslavia
Summary/Abstract: The Young Man Christian Association (YMCA) operated in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia from 1918 to 1941. British representatives chaired the organization, except for a brief spell under local governance - the only such example in Europe. Around 1900, YMCA expanded the Austro-Hungarian Empire’s south Protestant parts. It framed future northern parts of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenians. In 1911, American Methodist John Mott’s visited the Kingdom of Serbia and formed the first branch of Belgrade University. During the First World War, the contacts between the YMCA, the Serbian authorities and representatives of the Serbian Church were maintained. The YMCA was present in the Central Powers prison camps, trying to aid inmates, many of whom were Serbs. The Association also performs at the Salonika Front among Serbian soldiers. After a truce, YMCA launched centers in Skopje, Nis, and later in Belgrade with the help of the British who arrived with soldiers from Thessaloniki. By arriving Percy Henry Sitters and his wife, the Association gain the remotest reach. From 1924 until the Second World War, Percy H. Sitters remain the director of the National Alliance, a lay-reader of the Anglican colony, and later a pastor. Despite problems, membership risen from around 1,000 in the early 1920s to about 50,000 in 1940. Yugoslav YMCA accepted in July 1935 as a member of the World Association of YMCA. Association enjoyed completes autonomy and settled close ties with the Royal Family. It enjoyed their protection and financial help. Registered as an organization of Christianization and spiritual renewal, YMCA conducted conventional Protestant methods to improve the spirit, mind and body of young individuals. Besides religious training and other social services, organized sports events and philanthropy work. Members came from the eastern regions, where individuals belonged to Orthodox and Protestant. This was the result of good cooperation with the Serbian Orthodox, Reformed, Lutheran, German and Slovak Evangelical Churches. Although branches open in Zagreb and Ljubljana, YMCA did not achieve a significant impact in the Kingdom’s Catholic regions. The negative posture of the Roman Catholic Church towards Association constituted primary reason. YMCA contributes to a vast knowledge of British values and culture among the local population. It was important to keep the connections of Serbian Orthodox and Anglican Church. Especial at the beginning of World War Two.

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