192 Years Young: Ballston Spa First Presbyterian Nominated for National Register of Historic Places

BALLSTON SPA — In a town with plenty of history, the Ballston Spa First Presbyterian Church stands out for a multitude of reasons. 

The church was first constructed in 1835 and is the oldest church still in use by the same congregation in the Village of Ballston Spa. It’s also the third-oldest congregation in the village. 

Now the small church behind the courthouse and county offices hopes to add one more achievement to its historic resume: inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. The church was formally nominated to the Register by the New York State Board for Historic Preservation on June 4. It was one of 19 places statewide to be nominated and one of only two nominations to come from the capital region. 

“The church is a prominent landmark in the Ballston Spa Village Local Historic District due to its central location and soaring spire, and it has served as a significant cultural and religious center for the local community since the early 1800s,” a press release issued by the New York State Parks Office said. 

Judy Frolich, a Ministry Team Leader with the church, said that the process for getting the church added to the Register has been going on for over a year. Frolich said that part of the process involved taking church records and histories, compiling them, and matching the features of the church with architectural language.  This effort was spearheaded by the church’s accessibility committee comprised of Frolich, Debbie Siefert and Robin Perkins. 

They were assisted in this effort by Julie Maresco, the New York State Parks Survey and National Register Unit staff member assigned to Saratoga County.

While not the oldest congregation in Ballston Spa — that title going to the First Baptist Church which was established in 1791 — the church is the oldest church structure in Ballston Spa, having been built in 1835. The congregation was formally established in June 1834, with many members coming from other Presbyterian churches in the area. In the year between the establishment and construction of the church, the congregation met in the nearby courthouse. 

In January 1835, the land for the church at 22 West High Street was purchased for $800 (about $30,275 when adjusted for inflation). The cornerstone of the church was laid in May and by November the project was completed. The cost of building the church was $10,000 (about $378,432) and was paid for by members of the congregation. In September, the bell was purchased from the historic Meneely Foundry in Watervliet.

The first trustees of the church included several prominent community members: Jonathan Beach — a local landowner who is listed as one of the builders of the church, Philip McOmber — a bank trustee, cotton mill owner and member of the Board of Health, Moses Williams — a shoemaker, tanner and postmaster, and village trustee, James Comstock — owner and publisher of a local newspaper and a postmaster, Edward Lee, — a general Store Owner, State Assemblyman and County Treasurer.

For the most part, the Greek Revival styled sanctuary has maintained much of its original structure and character. The first major change came in 1857 when the sanctuary was extended to the East by 20 feet, and the church steeple was added. In addition, the wood shingle roof was replaced with a slate roof. In 1914, the pane glass windows and black shutters were replaced with the stained-glass windows seen today. The final major change to the sanctuary came in 1949 when the staircase was replaced — going from a straight staircase to a dual feed staircase. 

The slate roof was later replaced in 2017 with a modern asphalt and metal shingled roof. 

In 1924, the building was expanded with a new chapel to better serve the needs of the church. The chapel is architecturally unique from the sanctuary and features a Colonial Revival style architecture which has remained virtually unchanged since construction. The two areas are connected via a small alcove.

One of the main drivers for seeking the designation was to allow the church to apply for preservation grants to upgrade the church and make it more handicapped accessible. 

“We really want to be able to welcome people of all abilities, and many of our congregation members are getting older,” Frolich said. “We’re all getting older, but they’re getting to the point where they need assistance, and they can’t attend because they don’t have a way to get in.”

Frolich said that the estimated cost of the refurbishment would be $800,000, which includes new sidewalks, handicap parking areas, and a stair lift for congregants to access the sanctuary. To help raise funds for the improvements, the church is selling slate tiles overlayed with historic images of the church. Those tiles can be purchased through the church office. 

Frolich said that final word on whether the church will be added to the National Historic Places Register is expected in the next 3-4 months. If added, it will be the fourth structure in Ballston Spa to be listed in the Register.