The History of the Union Meeting Hall

The Union Society was formed on January 30th, 1837. The Society's purpose was to build a Meeting House to serve as a church for five different denominations, including the Methodists, Congregationalists, Spiritualists, and Baptists.  The church was completed in 1840.

"The Great Convention", which featured a speech by abolitionist Frederick Douglass about freedom and equality, took place in the Brick Meeting House in 1843. The Meeting House stood next door to the Union Meeting Hall. The meeting did not take place in the Union Meeting Hall as church elders were concerned that rowdy individuals would damage the property, much like what had happened in Middlebury days before. 

The Union Society held church services for almost 60 years. By 1898, the two largest of the original congregations had built their own churches and left the Society. Without the support of the various congregations The Union Society was no longer financially viable.

By 1898 the Meeting House had become too small for public gatherings and the Town realized they needed a bigger space to meet. They agreed to purchase the larger Union Meeting Hall next door for use as a Town Hall. The Meeting House was then sold for bricks. After purchasing the Union Meeting Hall the wood shingle roof was replaced with a slate one, which is what you still see today. 

With the construction of the Ferrisburgh Central School complete in 1958 the Town began using the school's gym for larger meetings.  During this time the Town Clerk's office moved from the clerk's house to the old School House, which now serves as the Ferrisburgh Historical Society. The Town's Clerk's office moved to the Town Hall and Community Center, formerly the Grange Hall, in 2008.

The Christian Reformed Church leased the building until 1976 when they built their own church in New Haven. 

On Sunday, July 11th the steeple was struck by lightning and heavily damaged by fire. The quick action of the fire department prevented the fire from spreading to the large wooden beams that make up the roof structure. After the steeple was rebuilt the property was added to the National Registry of Historic Places.

The Champlain Valley Table Tennis Club leased the building for roughly 20 years. Tables were set-up on the floor and on the stage. A ball server was also mounted in the balcony to serve balls to the players. 

Crossroads Chapel leased the building for roughly 5 years until the congregation disbanded.

The Friends of the Union Meeting Hall was formed in order to rehabilitate the Union Meeting while making it a cornerstone of the community again.