The American YMCA's work in Czechoslovakia began with armed forces work during World War I and subsequently expanded to the civilian population. Early work, led by Donald Lowrie, Howard B. Durkee, Walter W. Gethman, and others, focused on serving students, who had urgent needs for housing, cheap meals, and a social and study center. Summer camps for boys were developed and proved popular, and a publishing department was set up which issued books and magazines. Building on the army work, the International Committee selected and trained a body of Czech secretaries who facilitated the relatively quick development of a self-supporting YMCA movement in that country. The first National Convention was held in July 1921 and a Central Committee chosen. Later that year Walter W. Gethman was elected national secretary. Growth of the movement was rapid, with 120 associations in operation by 1923. By 1931, there were 325 associations with over 22,000 members. Despite financial woes, the Y persevered through the Depression. Physical work flourished and educational classes, cultural groups, summer camps, and boys' and young men's clubs (including Hi-Y and Y's Men clubs) continued to expand until the German occupation. With the onslaught World War II, North American Y, along with those of Scandinavia, Holland, and Great Britain, helped provide aid for the many refugees that flooded what was left of Czechoslovakia after portions were annexed by Germany and Hungary. Under the German protectorate and subsequent occupation, YMCAs were increasingly restricted and secretaries were under the scrutiny of the Gestapo. The Y struggled to survive but managed to carry on under the protection of the church. The coup of 1948 by which the Communists seized power did not immediately put an end to the YMCA but ultimately, in February 1951, the Association was dissolved and its property taken over by the Union of Czechoslovak Youth.
From the description of Records of YMCA international work in Czechoslovakia, 1921-1969, 1990-1991 (bulk 1921-1969). (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 670478785
