Stephanie Ortolano

The church building, built in 1874
Photo by Tom Sinclair

A community center in Dryden has been a dream for many, many years. While there have been some efforts to create an accessible community space, such as the Dryden Community Cafe, finding the right space has always been an issue. In the spring of 2025, the community learned that the Dryden United Methodist Church would be closing its doors as a house of worship. A dwindling congregation and wider societal trends made it financially unfeasible for them to continue in the tradition that has kept this building and its programs a vital part of the Dryden community for almost 200 years. This sad turn of events has been able to be turned into an opportunity for the wider community.

It's really happening!

By Stephanie Ortolano

August 20, 2025

Looking up at the rose window on the front of the building
Photo by Tom Sinclair

Have you ever wondered why there isn't already a community center in Dryden? Have you attended a pancake breakfast at the Varna Community Association or a party at the Brooktondale Community Center and thought to yourself, why don't we have this in Dryden? As a parent, have you considered enrolling your child in music lessons only to be frustrated by how far you have to drive to find an instructor? Have you ever tried to sign up for a program at the library but were told that the space was full? Have you attended a performance at the high school and wished that there were more opportunities to see live theater in Dryden?

Stephanie Ortolano

Purchasing the building

It's really happening!