The Hubbard Building next to Batavia UMC not only blocks the view of the historic church, but it is also a fire-hazard and beyond it's useful life. Photo provided by the church.

For more than 20 years, Batavia UMC has dreamed of transforming the property surrounding its historic church building into a space that better serves both the congregation and the wider community. Now, after years of planning, advocacy, study and approvals, that vision is beginning to take shape.

The 1887 church building, with an addition constructed in 1991, has long been central to the congregation’s life. For decades, the church has explored ways to expand its building and property while addressing its limited parking. As the buildings and property lots around the church became available, the congregation worked to acquire what was helpful for their long-term goals of gaining more parking and space for expansion.

The Community Building, once used for youth programming, now serves as storage for mission work, while the Wesley Activity Center houses Bikes for Batavia, the church bus and other storage. The Hubbard Building, purchased in 2015 after serving as a furniture store, was determined to be beyond its useful life and became part of the church’s plans for future expansion.

After a lengthy process of approval for demolition which included several meetings and review from the Historical Commission of Batavia, City staff, and the Batavia City Council, the certificate of appropriateness for demolition has been approved for the church to move forward removing the Hubbard Building. 

The work on this has been hard, intense, costly, time intense, & complicated. The people of the church are amazing and have worked hard to live into the goal of being a hub for the community. Recently, the church members distributed discarded items from the building to more than 40 organizations & individuals, provided more than 2,000 meals to families this summer, and have been present at community events.

Removing the building will help Batavia UMC continue its role in the community, allowing the space to return to its historic use as a place of worship, where several congregations have gathered throughout its history. It will also provide green space for children participating in Vacation Bible School and Parents Day Out to play and explore God’s creation, as well as space for church picnics, ice cream socials and community gatherings during events such as Batfest and holidays.

Through the space, Batavia UMC hopes to communicate that all are loved and welcomed by God and by the church. “Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors” has long been a motto of The United Methodist Church, and Batavia UMC hopes this space will embody that spirit by offering a place to enjoy green space, reflect and pray, build community, and remind all who enter that they belong.

The work isn't over (far from it), but Batavia UMC is looking ahead with hope, embracing new possibilities while continuing to meet the needs of its community. And they’re excited to get to dream and live into this new chapter in their story.