Christopher William Smith – the man who named the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) – died at Blackgang, aged 75, on 1st December 1892. Christopher was 1 of 12 people who founded the YMCA in London on 6th June 1844. The group were concerned about the lack of healthy activities for young men who had been drawn to cities by the industrial revolution and were spending their leisure hours in taverns and brothels. The purpose of the YMCA was given as:
“the improving of the spiritual condition of young men engaged in the drapery, embroidery and other trades.”
The YMCA combined preaching in the streets and the distribution of religious tracts with a social ministry. The organisation aimed to provide places for wholesome recreation that would preserve youth from the temptations of alcohol, gambling, and prostitution. In 1855, the 1st YMCA World Conference was held in Paris, which brought together 99 young delegates from 9 countries. The group encouraged the development of ‘muscular Christianity’ through the development of spirit, mind and body. Both basketball and volleyball – as well as futsal – were invented by YMCA members. On the Isle of Wight, Christopher – together with his wife Edith – devoted themselves to the spiritual and moral improvement of the inhabitants of South Wight, which had previously been famous as the haunt of notorious bands of smugglers. The husband and wife were partly responsible for the establishment of the Blackgang Mission, which preached the gospel to the previously dissolute inhabitants of the Undercliff village. 
“In connection with Mr. George Williams, the beloved president of the Young Men’s Christian Association, he had the honour of being one of the originators and first hon. secretary of that now world-wide organization. “Mr Smith it was who, with singular felicity, suggested its simple and appropriate name, and who also as a member of the very first committee, wrote the address explaining the need for its formation, and setting forth its objects. “On his second marriage, two and a half years ago, he took up permanent residence at Blackgang, where, by his loving, gentle ministrations to their bodies and souls, he soon won a warm place in the hearts of those around.”
Mr Smith’s passing was described with the following words:
“Early on the morning of his death he mentioned to his wife that he had had such a sweet message given to him from the Lord: ‘The God of all graces, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered awhile make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you’. “After breakfast he opened his letters as usual, and was in the drawing room waiting for family prayer when the final summons came, and in an instant he was ‘absent from the body – present with the Lord’.”
Christopher Smith is buried – together with his wife Edith – at St Paul’s Churchyard in Chale. 
They don’t make them like him any more probably broke the mould
Awesome on every level.