From History of Madison County, W. H. Beers & Co, Chicago, 1883
One of the first organized churches in Madison County, if not the first, is the Methodist Episcopal Church now located at Newport, this township. In 1807, at the house of Jonathan Minshall, a class was organized by Rev. Mr. Lakin. with three members—Jonathan Minshall and wife and David Watson, with the former as Class-Leader. Meetings were held and preaching occasionally had at the house of Jonathan Minshall till, in 1809, David Watson's father having located near David's place, meetings were held at his place until in 1822, when David's mother died, after which the meetings were held at David's house. As the neighborhood became settled up, the class grew and increased in numbers. Between the years 1816 and 1820, there was held each year, for two or three years, a camp-meeting in this neighborhood, which was probably the first of the kind ever held in Maidson County. People came to these meetings from many miles distant, and camped in tents, and had many very enjoyable meetings. At one evening meeting, twenty-four persons joined tho church, under the preaching of Rev. Alexander Morrow. The church held their meetings in private houses until the building of a public schoolhouse, about 1831-32, when the services were held in the schoolhouse. which was erected where the cemetery is now located. Here the church continued to hold their services till about 1850, when the society erected a church edifice about one mile east, at Newport. They erected a good, substantial frame building, at a cost of about $700. This building served the society until about 1872, when the present brick house 56x32 feet, was erected, at a cost of about $4,500, and is a very neat and comfortable house of worship, well finished and well furnished. At the time of the erection of the first church building, the society numbered about twenty persons. Since that time, the church has been served by the following ministers: Rev. Mr. Smith, John Stewart, Joseph Brown, Mr. Orum, Archibald Fleming, Mr. Spahr, Samuel Tibitt, J. T. Miller. Mr. Pitzer, A. Alexander, Mr. Heath, Mr. Vananda, A. R. Miller, I. Bradrick, Mr. King; and Rev. Mr. Mackey, who are now the present pastors. In November, 1872, the new church was dedicated, Joseph Trimble preaching the dedicatory sermon. The membership is now about one hundred. Trustees, Samuel Coberly, William Withrow, John Paulin, William Clevenger, David Watson and Washington Withrow. Stewards are Washington Withrow and David Watson: Class-Leaders, Samuel Coberly and W. Withrow. In connection with the church, they have had a good, flourishing Sunday school since the erection of the first church edifice. It now numbers about sixty scholars, with James Buell as Superintendent.
Protestant Methodist Church—In 1850, a few persons met at the schoolhouse, then located where the cemetery now stands, and, under Rev. Rameth Hussey, were organized into a class, consisting of the following persons: Presley Rains, wife, three sons and one daughter; James Jewell and Elias Forbis and wife; Joseph Stroup and wife; Gideon Peck and wife; Isabel Stroup, Josie Watson, Sarah Jones, Polly Wagoner and Elizabeth Sifrit; and perhaps one or two others whose names are not now remembered. Elias Forbis was Class-Leader. The society held their meetings at the schoolhouse for three or four years. In 1854-55, they erected their present frame house in Newport, which was completed and dedicated to service the same year, and it is believed that Rev. A. H. Trumbo delivered the dedicatory sermon. The membership is now about twenty five, with Rev. T. D. Howe as their minister, and Amos Gregg as Class-Leader, who has served as such more than twenty years. Trustees, James Evans, John W. Vent, Singleton Yates. Amos Gregg and Uriah Thornburg.