Methodist Episcopal Church

There was Methodist Episcopal preaching in the southern part of the township many years before the division took place, which formed New Vernon. In 1843, a red, frame school-house was built in the Methodist neighborhood, and services were held there for several years, when there was a great revival of religion in the congregation, and twenty-three persons entered into communion with the church, strengthening it to such an extent that, in 1849, upon the solicitation, of the Rev. Robert Beatty, a meeting- house was erected. Mr. Beatty himself, who was a builder by trade, assisted in hewing the timber. Services were held regularly, until 1864, once in two weeks, when the church gradually declined.

Its first members were: James Boyd, and wife; Thomas Boyd, and wife; George Forbes, and wife; Joseph Boyd; George Burrows,  and wife; and Mary Forbes. James Boyd was the first class-leader.

A Sabbath-school was organized while meetings were held in the old, red school-house, and, at one time, there was a small library connected with it, but it ceased to exist with the church. In 1874, the United Brethren were allowed to worship occasionally in the building, which is still standing. There is a grave-yard near it, and funeral discourses of those from the neighborhood are generally delivered there. It stands in a grove of oak and chestnut, and with a little care, might be made, a beautiful retreat.