Our History

1836 Methodist Society purchases Washington Street lot from Dr. John Clark, proprietor of Congress Spring, for $1,000.

July 23, 1841 Methodist Episcopal Church is dedicated. Cost of church construction, including the lot, is $8,143.

December 31, 1871 The new 3,125-pound bronze bell, founded by Meneely and Kimberly bell founders of Troy, first calls members to service.

March 21, 1872 Church is dedicated after being enlarged at a cost of $116,000 to accommodate the Troy Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Two steeples, towering stained glass windows and seating for 1200 are added. The rebuilt church becomes one of the earliest examples of High Victorian Gothic architecture in the country.

December 27, 1903 The last construction bond is paid and the congregation gathers to celebrate when it is discovered that the church is on fire. Damage is estimated at $20,000. The southwest tower is removed.

December 19, 1920 A $35,000 Austin organ, the gift of Senator Edgar T. Brackett, is dedicated at a ceremony marking the church’s 50th anniversary. That same year, $15,000 is spent on renovations.

1948 Church is redecorated and refurbished. A choir room and ladies room are constructed downstairs, indirect lighting is installed, the sanctuary is painted blue and a blue monk’s cloth is designed to cover the organ pipes at a total cost of $17,000.

June 1976 The Methodist congregation constructs a new building at Fifth Avenue and Henning Road and agrees to sell the Washington Street structure to the Universal Baptist Temple for $15,000.

July 18, 1977 The City of Saratoga Springs, recognizing the historical significance of the structure, authorizes a loan of $9,100 to repair the deteriorating southeast tower, a significant feature of the city’s skyline. The proposed demolition of the tower is prevented.

August 17, 1999 The church was designated an Official Project of Save America’s Treasures, a joint project of the White House Millennium Council and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

May 2000 Due to unsafe conditions in the building, the Universal Baptist congregation starts holding services at the Bethesda Episcopal Church parish house. The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation joins with the congregation to help save the historic structure.

1999-2002 The Universal Baptist congregation, city officials, local volunteers and businesses joined together to ensure the future of the structure. $50,000 is raised for emergency repairs.

December 2002 The Saratoga Springs Universal Preservation Hall, a 501c3 not-for-profit organization, is established to lead efforts to restore the building. The organization’s primary goals are to provide a permanent home for the Universal Baptist congregation, community meeting space and a center for the performing arts.

2003 Anonymous gift of one million dollars jump-starts the fundraising campaign.

May 2004 Structural Roof Repairs Complete

2004 The Universal Baptist Church returns to its restored chapel in the building.  Fundraising continues; structural repairs completed; repairs to main hall begin.

2005 Fundraising continues; repairs to main hall continue; first of restored stained glass windows installed; all architectural and restoration plans completed; building permit for additions applied for; plans instituted to open building in summer, 2007.

2006 After a national search, the Universal Preservation Hall hires Matthew Kopans to serve as Managing Director.