​Ballston Spa United Methodist Church
  • Home
  • Blog
    • Recent posts
    • April 4 message
    • March 21 message
    • March 14 message
    • March 7 message
    • February 28 message
    • February 21 message
    • February 14 message
    • January 31 message
    • January 24 message
    • January 17 message
    • January 10 message
    • January 3 message
    • December 13 message
    • December 6 message
    • November 29 message
    • November 15 message
    • November 1 message
    • October 11 message
    • Sept 13 message
    • Sept 6 message
    • Aug 30 message
    • Aug 23 message
    • Aug 16 message
    • July 26 message
    • July 12 Message
    • July 5 message
    • June 28 message
    • May 24 message
  • About Us
    • Church Staff
    • Church Directions
    • How To Reach Us
    • History
  • Calendar and Events
    • Calendar
    • Announcements >
      • Ministry Matters April 11
      • Ministry Matters April 4
      • Ministry Matters March 28
      • Ministry Matters March 21
      • Ministry Matters March 14
      • Ministry Matters March 7
      • Ministry Matters February 28
      • Ministry Matters February 21
      • Ministry Matters February 14
      • Ministry Matters February 7
      • Ministry Matters January 31
      • Ministry Matters January 24
      • Ministry Matters January 17
      • Ministry Matters January 10
      • Ministry Matters January 3
      • Ministry Matters December 20
      • Ministry Matters December 13
      • Ministry Matters December 6
      • Ministry Matters November 29
      • Ministry Matters November 22
      • Ministry Matters November 15
      • Ministry Matters November 8
      • Ministry Matters November 1
      • Ministry Matters October 25
      • Ministry Matters October 18
      • Ministry Matters October 11
      • Ministry Matters October 4
      • Ministry Matters September 27
      • Ministry Matters September 20
      • Ministry Matters September 13
      • Ministry Matters August 16
      • Ministry Matters July 12
      • Ministry Matters July 5
      • Ministry Matters June 29
      • Ministry Matters May 31
      • Ministry Matters May 24
      • Ministry Matters May 16
      • Ministry Matters May 7
      • Ministry Matters April 30
      • Ministry Matters 4/23/20
  • How We Serve
    • Food Pantry
    • Clothing Thrift Shop
    • Prayer Shawl Ministry
    • UM Economic & Lakota Ministries
    • Fair Trade Coffee
    • Regional Food Bank Trip
    • 2020 Falling Leaves 5K Run
    • 2019 Falling Leaves 5K Run
    • Bright Red Book Shelf
    • Summer Lunch Program
  • Our Youth
    • Easter 2020
    • Sunday School
    • Youth Group
    • BSUMC Boy/Cub Scouts Info
  • News
    • COVID-19 March 2020
    • The Tidings Newsletter
    • Choir News
  • Resources
    • Safe Sanctuary Policy
    • Forms
    • Links
    • Photos & Videos
  • Giving
    • Online giving
    • Sign up for automatic giving
    • Through On-line Purchasing

Looking Back - Our Church History

This information all comes from the Centennial History of Ballston Spa, published in 1907. You can view the relevant pages here.
  • The Ballston Spa area was served by Methodist circuit riders. The first record of the Saratoga Springs Circuit was in 1791. At that time, although not mentioned, Ballston Spa was by far the larger town and was undoubtably on the circuit.
  • In 1811 "The Academy" was erected as the first public school in Ballston Spa. It was located at Science street and Front Street. This building was used by the early Methodists for worship prior to the formation of a church.
  • On July 6, 1836 a group of Methodists met at the Court House and organized a society under the name "First Methodist Episcopal Society of Ballston Spa, N. Y.".
  • In the same year, 1836, the newly formed organization bought "The Academy" building and moved it to a location at the corner of High and Charlton Streets. Services were held in this building until 1845. An interesting note: When our "new" church was built, "The Academy" building was sold to parishioners of what would become St. Mary's Catholic Church, and became their church building from 1847 until 1860.
  • The first church built on our property was started and completed the same year in 1845. See the picture of the original church here.
  • In 1868 the church was enlarged by adding 20 feet at the rear. This was to accomodate the constantly increasing membership. It was listed as 268 members, 26 probationers, and 237 Sunday School children.
  • In 1872 a parsonage was built adjoining the church on the north and rear.
  • In 1892 the last year of the pastorate of  Joseph Zweifel, a project was started to build a new church. The Honorable George West pledged to match any funds raised dollar for dollar, provided they raised at least $10,000.
  • The fund raising was continued under the Reverend J. C. Russum and was very successful. The last service was held in the original building on Sunday, September 11, 1892. Demolition began the next day.
  • The cornerstone of the current church building was laid October 19, 1892, and just over one year later the building was dedicated on December 17, 1893. The total cost of the church was about $30,000 with West donating one half.
  • The building marked 125 years of  continuous operation in 2018.

Like us on Facebook:

Visit our Facebook Page:

© 2015 Ballston Spa United Methodist Church. 101 Milton Avenue, Ballston Spa, NY 12020
E-Mail: