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Putting Christian principles into practice

150-year history of Marshalltown YMCA-YWCA celebrated Tuesday night

By Mike Donahey 5 min read

After 150 years, several locations, a devastating flood, the COVID-19 pandemic, the Great Depression, and numerous recessions, the Marshalltown YMCA-YWCA continues to fulfill its mission of "putting Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all."

Hundreds of thousands of central Iowans and others have passed through its doors benefitting from the Y's mission since 1876.

Users have ranged from Minneapolis & St. Louis railroad workers to six-month old children in child care to dance students to 93-year men aggressively pursuing fitness regimens. Y CEO Kim Jass-Ramirez and Y marketing director Andrew Potter presented the Y’s distinguished and compelling history before attendees at the Y Tuesday night.

It was part of the Historical Society of Marshall County's (HSMC) monthly "History on Second Tuesday" educational program.

Jass-Ramirez and Potter said the not-for-profit Y’s success has been possible only through the efforts of generous central Iowa benefactors such as the late Bill Fisher, Virginia Horne-Henry and Rex Ryden.

All in tandem with dues-paying members melded with conscientious volunteer board of directors and dedicated staff.

“The first Marshalltown Y was located in spaces rented from uptown businesses," according to the "Continuing History of Marshall County 1997," with the Y portion authored by former YWCA director Pauline Hartman.

"The Y's second location - established in 1895 and known as ‘The Railroad Y’ was a site on South Third Avenue - across from the current Taylor's Maid-Rite," said Potter.

"The Y then moved to the 10 block of East Church Street and near the former Wells-Fargo bank building. Many of our older members and directors recall attending dances, pursuing fitness routines, swimming and other activities there,” Jass-Ramirez said.

The Y outgrew that building and moved to the 700 block of South Center Street – now known as the Y Cultural Center – in 1968. The late Bill Fisher purchased the land from the Iowa Department of Transportation and arranged for the Y to have a 99-year lease. Other donations from local and area businesses and residents made the building construction possible.

“We use that building now extensively for dance programs and craft classes, church services and more,” Jass-Ramirez said.

Linn Creek flooded in 1970 resulting in the Y director being evacuated by boat. Again, the area responded by raising more than $100,000 to make the building useable again.

Extensive flood protection measures were made following to prevent further flooding of the Y and Fisher Community Center and more.

The 60,000-sq. ft. building was complete with rooms outfitted with locker rooms, weights and weight machines, a large gym, a running track above the gym, fitness and dance studios, swimming pool and offices. It served its members and the community dutifully until Jan. 4, 2004 when the Horne-Henry Center opened in the 100-block of Washington Street.

Construction of the more than 120,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility was made possible by a $28 million bequeathment by Horne-Henry's estate.

It was officially announced July 30, 1997. The donation cleared outstanding facility debt on the South Center Street building. Horne-Henry was a 1930 Marshalltown High School graduate, Y member, and author of a book on tumbling.

She died in Marshalltown, Feb. 14, 1997, at age 84.

The facility has spacious locker rooms, two swimming pools, a large gym, running/walking track, fitness equipment and fitness studios.

"Thanks to Virginia Horne-Henry, Bill Fisher and countless other benefactors, we can serve during peak periods up to 1,500 members and residents per day combined between the Cultural Center and Horne-Henry Center," said Jass-Ramirez.

The Horne-Henry endowment also allows the Y to keep annual membership as low as fiscally possible.

"No one is denied membership to the Y if unable to pay," Jass-Ramirez said. "We offer a scholarship program for eligible residents and have awarded dozens in recent years."

The Y has also been aggressive in providing social and fitness programs to cancer survivors through the acclaimed Livestrong program and to Parkinson disease patients.

The Livestrong program began in 2012 and served dozens annually until COVID-19. The program was recently reinstated.

The Horne-Henry facility is on Y-owned land and has property should expansion ever be necessary.

Jass-Ramirez said the Y also owns land currently occupied by the Aquatic Center managed by the city of Marshalltown's Parks and Recreation department.

An event attendee said during the program that the past three CEOs have been women - Jass-Ramirez (since 2023), Carol Hibbs (2006-2023) and Mary Carol Fish (1996-2006).

Hibbs later was later elected to the Marshall County Board of Supervisors, where she still serves.

"The Y has been a major part of our family's life since I was a youth," said board member Tyler Peschong of Marshalltown.

A local State Farm agent, Peschong said he and his wife Kaylee use the Y facilities extensively with their four children.

"I joined the board in 2020 because I wanted to give back to an organization which has been a critical part of Marshalltown's positive image and development and has provided exemplary service for 150 years,” he said.

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