A Methodist class was organized in Bellvale in 1809, twenty-four years after the Methodist Episcopal Church of America was founded.  Preaching was held at the homes of William Wisner and Ananias Wilson.  The presiding Elder was Henry Stead.  John Robeson and James Coleman were circuit preachers.  The class belonged to the New Windsor Circuit. 

    By 1832 services were held at the School House and in 1841, the upper part of the school was furnished for the meetings.  The room was available to the Baptists, Reformed Dutch and Methodists, jointly.  The building was called The Tabernacle.    

    In 1852 it was decided to build a Bellvale Church.  February 8, 1853, a meeting of the Society was called and the first Board of Trustees elected as follows:  Calvin Bradner, Townsend Wright, Samuel Wilson, Benjamin Bennett, Thomas Brooks, William H. Wisner, John R. Wilson.

    February 11, 1853, the Trustees resolved to build a church 50 feet by 32 feet, with 22 posts and a belfry.  Also, a gallery across the end of the church, and a basement; 30 feet by 18 feet, with a 7 foot ceiling.  The building lot was given by Samuel Wilson.

    The cornerstone given by David Stevens was laid April 27, 1853, by Rev. J.B. Wakely, pastor of the Forsyth Street Church, New York City.   A small box of soft lead containing old coins, a hymn book, a Holy Bible, a list of subscribers to the Church, a discipline and numerous other articles were placed in the cornerstone.  The mason work was supervised by Edward Mills and the carpenter work by Adolphus Bradner.  The timber for the entire building was cut on the farm of William H. Wisner, and sawed in the old saw mill just above where the church now stands.  Mrs. Elizabeth Wilson, mother of John Wilson, gave the bell.

    The Church was dedicated in 1854 by Rev. A. M. Osborn presiding elder.  The dedicatory sermon was preached by Hiram Matterson.  His text was Matthews 25;8 - "To What Purpose is This Waste?".  A choir directed by Milton Younges occupied the gallery and rendered special music.   

    In 1881 the church had 60 members and five probationers.  Services were held at Bellvale morning and evening, and at Greenwood Lake in the afternoon.  The church was redecorated in 1901 by Mr. Long of Brooklyn and in 1930 by E. Vogel of Florida, N.Y.  The re-dedication exercises were held September 21, 1930.   Dr. J. J. Henry, district Superintendent, delivered the address.

    Numerous gifts were made by various friends so that the Bellvale Church was a well equipped church.  It was wired with electric lights in 1923.   In 1931, the Annual Bellvale Circus was born.  It became one of the most popular events in the Town of Warwick...a legend to this day.

    January 17, 1940, this 86 year old church of Bellvale, burned to the ground.  At 7:00 p.m. Albert Phillips was escorting his daughter to the church for a Social, they found it in flames.  The firemen fought hard but it was to late.  By morning, the building had been destroyed.  After the fire, an undamaged church hymnal was found lying on the ground.  It was opened to hymn "How Firm a Foundation".

    The following Sunday, January 21, Dr. George A. MacDonald, Supt. of the Newburgh District, addressed the congregation at the School House, using as his theme "Three Steps from Earth to Heaven".  At a business meeting following the service, it was resolved to build a new church.  That week the following message appeared in the local paper.  "The old fighting spirit, that has kept Bellvale to the front in Warwick Township is again in evidence.  Wednesday night their church burned to the ground.  On Sunday night they planned to rebuild."

    Services continued at the School House, while committees were appointed and the re-building process began.  The Architect for the new church was Mr. N. V. Welch of Warwick, who generously donated the plans.  Schmick and Garcia of Edenville received the contract for the masonry work and Alex Miller of Edenville for the carpentry work, these being the lowest bidders.  Debris from the old church was cleared away as soon as possible.

    The box placed in the cornerstone of the church erected in 1853 was salvaged from the debris and opened at a community meeting at the School House, Sunday evening, July 21st, with Rev. John Glenwood pastor of the church in charge.

    The new cornerstone was laid Sunday afternoon July 28, at 3:30 p.m. at the church grounds.  Rev. John Glenwood was in charge of the service.  The speakers were Rev. Dr. John Veerstag of Cincinnati, Ohio and Dr George MacDonald, Dist. Supt. of Newburgh District.  A choir of thirteen voices and organist Miss Dorothy Bradner, presented music for the service, which was attended by over a hundred people.

    The cost to rebuild the church was greatly reduced thanks to members of the Spring Glen Church.  They could no longer maintain their beloved house of worship and for the price of $1 sold to Bellvale the building, furniture, organ, leaded glass windows, chairs and pews.  The building was dismantled and taken to Bellvale, where it was reconstructed.  Now with timbers, windows, pews and bell incorporated in this building, it still serves the purpose to which it was dedicated.

    The little white Bellvale church remains a symbol of the endurance and faith of a hamlet and its people.