When the Wheeler family moved from North Carolina to Indiana in 1860, they carried one goal in their hearts: survival. For them, Indiana was a modern-day “Promised Land.” Although teetering on the edge of starvation, the family’s faith sustained them. Their fervent prayers led them to a modest patch of land barely 800 feet from where the new Ascension St. Vincent YMCA in Westfield sits today. Through relentless hard work, agricultural ingenuity, and steadfast devotion to God, their holdings eventually expanded to over 2,000 acres.
A core Wheeler family principle was unwavering: the church always received its portion first, and the family lived on what remained.
Herbert Wheeler, one of five siblings (four boys and one girl), embodied this legacy of faith when he moved to Indiana with his parents. Deeply devout Christians, Herbert and his wife Gladys raised their two children, Leslie and Rebecca, to put God first in all things. Leslie served his country as a World War II bomber pilot, completing 54 missions in Europe. A proud member of the American Legion Post in Westfield, Leslie and his wife Virginia went on to raise five children: Marcy, Joe, Andy, Martha, and Charles.
Andy Wheeler, alongside his wife of over 50 years, Marcia, has continued the mission that began with his ancestors over 160 years ago. The couple met at Indiana State University and have lived their lives following the Wheeler family’s guiding principle: never make a move without seeking God’s direction.
This commitment to faith led the Wheeler Family to make a transformative decision—to gift land to the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis. That land is now home to the Ascension St. Vincent YMCA in Westfield. Andy recalls walking to what he calls the “high spot” on the property, praying for guidance on how to honor God with the land. He felt God’s answer: the YMCA. Along with the vision for the Y, the Wheelers received an idea that included a partnership with the Westfield Washington School District to create a community hub anchored by three pillars: spiritual, physical, and mental health for all.
Remarkably, this vision aligns perfectly with the YMCA’s mission: “To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.” The swimming program at the Westfield-Washington Aquatic Center became a critical part of the project, inspired by Andy and Marcia’s daughter Natalie, an avid swimmer who passed away at the age of 10 in 1986.
Ironically, Andy had never set foot in a YMCA before this revelation. But in a serendipitous conversation with a friend, he learned that the Y was searching for a location in Westfield. His friend’s child was a self-proclaimed “Y kid,” which piqued Andy’s curiosity and set the tone for the project. From that moment, the Y became the cornerstone of a mission to foster health, wellness, and meaningful connections in the community.
The new Ascension St. Vincent YMCA in Westfield, located at 874 Virginia Rose Avenue, carries the legacy of the Wheeler family forward. The street itself is named after Andy’s mother, Virginia Wheeler, serving as a constant reminder of the family’s faith and dedication. Andy acknowledges the immense support of his wife and family in making this vision a reality.
When asked what success looks like for the Ascension St. Vincent YMCA in Westfield, Andy humbly says, “Gregg Hiland crying because there’s not enough space for the people.” On a more serious note, he shares, “Success is hearing people talk about the obstacles they’ve overcome. There are people who are hurting in Westfield, and the Y can be the answer to that pain. The Ascension St. Vincent YMCA in Westfield can help them start on the right path and head in the right direction.”
