Methodism in Antwerp village dates back no farther then July, 1863, at which time, at the urgent request of a few friends, the Rev. D. Symonds, then pastor at Sprague’s Corners, established an appointment for worship here on Sabbath evenings once in two weeks, and a small class was organized, with William Barrett as leader. For a time services were held in the Wiggins block, and when more commodious quarters became necessary, the Baptist church was secured, and used until February, 1872, at which time the society’s new church was dedicated and occupied. This edifice was of brick, seventy-five by forty-five feet, with basement, and had been erected mainly through the earnest energy of their pastor, Rev. E. E. Kellogg. Its cost, including ground, was about $20,000.

This building was totally destroyed by fire in the early morning of January 5, 1877; but even before the ashes were cold a subscription was circulated, and so satisfactory was the result, that the trustees’ debt of about $2,000 over the amount of insurance was discharged, and the work of rebuilding was commenced in April following. Now (September, 1877), the edifice is approaching completion, and will be dedicated in October. It is of brick, forty-five by eighty-two feet, of fine and substantial architecture. Its location is on the high ground adjoining the Ives seminary at the west side of the village; an attractive and commanding position.

The succession of pastors has been as follows: Rev. A. G. Markham, 1860 to 1870; Rev. E. E. Kellogg, 1870 to 1873; Rev. Wm. Watson, 1873 to 1875; Rev. S. Dewey, 1875 to 1876; and Rev. C. H. Guile, 18876 to the present time.

The membership of the church is about one hundred and fifty.

In September, 1868, three Methodist Episcopal classes were organized in Antwerp, viz.: one at the Hoard neighborhood, with forty-two members; one at Hall’s corners, with twenty-two members; and a third at Rockwell Creek, with thirty-eight members; all these being under charge of Rev. D. T. White. The preachers in charge who succeeded Mr. White were Rev. Palo, 1869 to 1872; Rev. Thomas Ellsworth, 1872 to 1875; and Rev. Robert K> Andrews, 1875 to the present time.

The classes at Hall’s and Hoard’s worshipped in their neighboring school-houses until January, 1876, since which time they have been held fortnightly meetings in the Baptist church building in Antwerp village. The class at Rockwell Creek have continued to hold meetings once in two weeks at their school-house. A part of the members of this class have been detached, and joined to the Fowler charge. The remainder, together with those who meet in Antwerp village, being sixty-six members in the aggregate, constitute the Antwerp charge under Mr. Andrews.

Methodist worship was held in the neighborhood of Sprague’s fully fifty years ago, the meetings being usually held in the school-house about half a mile south of the village, or in that at Pike’s corners,--both log structures,--and the older people of the vicinity recollect Reverends May, Crary, Gibbs, and others, as among the early preachers who officiated.

The organization of the church was effected January 12, 1837, under Rev. Reuben Reynolds, pastor; the trustees being Isaac Sprague, John Howe, Elijah Steele, Jr., Abel Goodenough, William Brown, Martin Michel, and Samuel Kingsley.

In the same year they purchased of Moses Burge a building site on the Jefferson County side of the main street of the village and upon it erected a house of worship, at a cost of about $1000; John Howe being the architect and builder. After thirty-six years of service, in 1873, this old building was demolished, and a new one—their present church edifice—erected on the same site by C. C. Miller, as architect, at a cost of $5,000. This was during the ministry of Rev. Henry Hesselgrave, now of Philadelphia. After his pastorate came that of Rev. ----Smith, who remained until 1876, and was then succeeded by Rev. Mr. Nichols, the present pastor. (Jefferson County History, L. H. Everts, 1878)