Ballston Spa
New York
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Ballston Spa United Methodist Church
In the 1790's, Methodists began to hold meetings in Ballston Spa. The first written record of our congregation is from 1823, when a circuit rider shared the pastoring of Methodists in Ballston Spa and Saratoga Springs. Officially organized in 1836, eighteen Methodists "Resolved that we shall hereafter be known.. (as) the First Methodist Episcopal Church of the Village to Ballston Spa, New York."
Early Methodists in Ballson Spa held meetings and worship in various places, including members' homes, the Courthouse, and the Academy building. A new church was built at our present location during 1844 and 1845, at a approximately $2000. The first Sunday School began in 1846.
Records from 1848 indicate that E.W. Potter be respectfully requested to assist in the seating of strangers on the north side of the church." In its early years, our church struggled financially. Pew rent was major source of income, with collections on April 1 each year. In 1879, a resolutions passed that "intoxicating wine should not be used at communion service, and that dancing be condemned."
The cornerstone of our present church building was set on October 19, 1892. A capsule placed within the cornerstone contains among other things a Bible, a Methodist Hymnal, a copy of the Minutes of Troy Conference from 1892, and a Church Manual from the 1880's. Our bronze church bell, inscribed "LOVE ONE ANOTHER", was cast in Troy, New York, and installed in 1893. In 1939, the 100-foot steeple on the north tower was removed due to lightning damage.
In 1959, we purchased the Church house immediately south of the church, for office, education, and meeting space. In 1956, large sliding doors at the back of the sanctury were removed, and the area enclosed to accomodate improvements. These included the upstairs chapel and Sunday School rooms.
Electronic organs were purchased in 1956 and again in1996 to replace our original pipe organ. The organ pipes in the sanctuary are original, but no longer in use. In 1965, an electronic carillon was installed in the north tower, which plays hymns at 9:30am, noon, and 6:00pm daily. A new parking lot was constructed in 1998. Major renovation of the sanctuary's west wall and roof trusses was completed in 2001. Restoration of the stained class windows is currently under way.
Early Methodists in Ballson Spa held meetings and worship in various places, including members' homes, the Courthouse, and the Academy building. A new church was built at our present location during 1844 and 1845, at a approximately $2000. The first Sunday School began in 1846.
Records from 1848 indicate that E.W. Potter be respectfully requested to assist in the seating of strangers on the north side of the church." In its early years, our church struggled financially. Pew rent was major source of income, with collections on April 1 each year. In 1879, a resolutions passed that "intoxicating wine should not be used at communion service, and that dancing be condemned."
The cornerstone of our present church building was set on October 19, 1892. A capsule placed within the cornerstone contains among other things a Bible, a Methodist Hymnal, a copy of the Minutes of Troy Conference from 1892, and a Church Manual from the 1880's. Our bronze church bell, inscribed "LOVE ONE ANOTHER", was cast in Troy, New York, and installed in 1893. In 1939, the 100-foot steeple on the north tower was removed due to lightning damage.
In 1959, we purchased the Church house immediately south of the church, for office, education, and meeting space. In 1956, large sliding doors at the back of the sanctury were removed, and the area enclosed to accomodate improvements. These included the upstairs chapel and Sunday School rooms.
Electronic organs were purchased in 1956 and again in1996 to replace our original pipe organ. The organ pipes in the sanctuary are original, but no longer in use. In 1965, an electronic carillon was installed in the north tower, which plays hymns at 9:30am, noon, and 6:00pm daily. A new parking lot was constructed in 1998. Major renovation of the sanctuary's west wall and roof trusses was completed in 2001. Restoration of the stained class windows is currently under way.