From Church to Community Center – A Living Legacy of Gathering, Connection and Shared Purpose
Today, the Malden Bridge Community Center stands as a welcoming gathering place for neighbors, events, and shared experiences. But long before it became MBCC, this building was the spiritual and social heart of a Methodist congregation whose roots stretch back nearly two centuries. Understanding that history deepens our appreciation for the role this space continues to play in community life.
According to the written history of Methodism in the Old Chatham – Malden Bridge area, its earliest introduction appears to have come through circuit riders in the early 1800s. References to these riders can be found in Quarterly Conference minutes dating to that period.
Early records document the formal beginnings of the Methodist Church in Malden Bridge at an organizational meeting held on February 23, 1834. At that time, the first Board of Trustees was elected, and soon after, property was deeded on which a “chapel” was to be built for the use of a Methodist Episcopal Church. This congregation became known as the Society of Malden Bridge Methodist Chapel.
Funds were raised, and the building was erected and consecrated in 1835. This original structure is the portion of the building still used today as the Sanctuary, which has undergone several renovations over the years. Shortly thereafter, a shed was constructed on land behind the church to stable horses. Early photographs confirm its presence. The shed was later removed as automobiles became the primary mode of transportation.
Between 1874 and 1876, the Narthex and the choir gallery above were added, and the bell was placed in the tower. The bell bears the inscription: “Unto you, O Men, I Call.”
The next major addition came in 1915, when a parish hall was contributed by Catherine Vedder in memory of her husband, Nicholas Vedder, an active member of the parish. Known as Vedder Memorial, this addition has served not only the church but also the greater community for many decades.
In the late 1800s, the Society of Malden Bridge Methodist Chapel was incorporated under the laws of New York State and became known as the Malden Bridge Methodist Episcopal Church.
Historical records reflect the many challenges and successes of the Malden Bridge church, as well as its “mother” church in Old Chatham. The two congregations shared a pastor, who resided in a parsonage owned by the Old Chatham church.
In 1958, the congregation of the First Methodist Church in Old Chatham began worshiping with the Malden Bridge congregation due to damage to their building that was deemed too costly to repair. On July 29, 1959, the Old Chatham congregation voted to merge with the Malden Bridge Methodist Church. The merger was approved by the Supreme Court on June 3, 1960, forming the Wesley Methodist Church of Malden Bridge. The addition of “United” came in 1968 following a decree by the Methodist General Conference.
The Old Chatham congregation brought with it an altar set consisting of a cross, candlesticks, vases, and offering plates anodized in gold. These items continue to be used in worship services today.
Following the merger, the Board of Trustees and Church Council undertook a significant renovation to install the first indoor restrooms. This required a major redesign of the altar area in the Sanctuary, resulting in the layout seen today.
The bell from the Old Chatham Church was later erected on the lawn of the Malden Bridge church and dedicated during a service commemorating the church’s 140th anniversary in 1975. This bell was cast by Meneely and Kimberly Founders of Troy, New York, and had rung across the hills of Old Chatham for eighty years before the original church was razed.
In 2003, an addition affectionately known as “Joan’s Pantry” was constructed at the rear of Vedder Hall. Funding came from memorial contributions and support from the Synagogue of Malden Bridge, which held services in Vedder Hall from the winter of 1999 until the spring of 2005, after which the congregation moved to its own location.
In 2005, Wesley United Methodist Church of Malden Bridge celebrated its 170th anniversary. This milestone was dedicated to the memory of those whose faith and commitment made generations of service to the community possible.
Much of this history is drawn from a printed publication prepared for the 125th anniversary of the church’s consecration, titled Wesley Methodist Church Malden Bridge, New York 1835 – 1960, compiled by Wesley’s church historians.
Today, that legacy continues in a new form: as the Malden Bridge Community Center. The historic building remains what it has always been at its core – a place of gathering, connection and shared purpose. From community events and local programs to seasonal celebrations and weekly neighborly gatherings, MBCC carries forward nearly two centuries of welcoming people through its doors. The setting may have evolved, but the spirit endures: a space rooted in history, sustained by continuing to build community and open to all.
