Former Site of the Mukden YMCA

Former Site of the Mukden YMCA

The former site of the Mukden YMCA is a cultural relic protection unit of Liaoning Province.

The site of the Mukden YMCA is located at No. 151-1, Chaoyang Street, Shenhe District, Shenyang City, and now serves as the Training Center for the Shenyang Christian Council and Three-Self Patriotic Movement.

The site of the Mukden YMCA is located at No. 155-1, Chaoyang Street, Shenhe District, Shenyang City (the former site was No. 20, Qingnian Li, Section 3, Shenyang Road). The Mukden YMCA was founded in 1913 under the management of Danish pastor Vahrmann. The property was purchased with donations from believers across the city, the nation, and internationally, originally being the dilapidated Jingyou Temple within Darning Gate that had collapsed. The land area covered 6,340 square meters. In 1925, the main building of the YMCA was constructed here, followed by eight additional structures and an underground sports court among other activity venues, bringing the total property area to 4,253 square meters. The building is a four-story Western-style structure made of blue bricks. Inside, there is a spacious hall, wooden staircases and floors, as well as classrooms of various sizes, a lecture hall, recreation room, bathrooms, basement, and basketball court. Additionally, a tennis court was set up in the courtyard. Its completion provided the Mukden YMCA with a long-term, stable base for conducting anti-Japanese activities during the war. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the building was once used as a detention facility, with detainees including Zhang Zhixin.

During this period, Mr. Yan Baohang served as the General Secretary of the Mukden YMCA and advocated for mass education. The activities can be roughly divided into four parts: 1. Moral Education Department: promoted character education, studied the teachings of Christianity, and encouraged people to become Christians. 2. Intellectual Education Department: operated part-time schools and remedial education, teaching Mandarin, English, math, physics, chemistry, conducting technical research, reading newspapers and magazines, and attending science lectures. 3. Physical Education Department: the facility included a gymnasium and an underground tennis court, offering basketball, gymnastics, and various games. 4. Group Education Department: provided male dormitories, along with services such as showers, barbershops, and restaurants, and organized travel and visits to foster extensive and deep friendships among members.

Scope of Protection: Within 12 meters to the east, south, and north of the outer wall foundation of the building, and within 3 meters to the west.

Construction Control Zone: A Class IV construction control zone is designated beyond the protection area, extending 30 meters to the north, to the eastern red line of the planned road to the east, to the northern red line of the planned road to the south, and to the eastern road red line of Chaoyang Street to the west.

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Liaoning Province