The First Methodist Episcopal Church, of Janesville, was organized in 1841, with Rev. Alpha WARREN as the pastor. He was succeeded by Rev. Boyd PHELPS in 1843. The Rev. Lyman CATLIN was the first minister to have his home in Janesville. Then followed the Rev. F. W. PERKINS, S. ADAMS, J. LUCOCK and Wesley LATTIN. During the latter's pastorate, the congregation built their first church; it was of frame, in dimensions 35x25 feet, and was located on the west side of the river, on the east side of Center street. It was opened for worship in 1848. Mr. LATTIN was followed in succession by the Revs. J. M. SNOW, O. F. COMFORT, Daniel STANSBURY, Mr. MASON, Joshia W. WOOD and Henry REQUA. In July, 1853, they dedicated their brick church, which had just been completed; it was 75x45 in size, and stood on the corner of Center and Jackson streets (west side); the services were conducted by the Rev. John CLARK. Mr. REQUA was succeeded by the Rev. Alpheus HAMILTON, and he was followed by the Rev. Dr. MILLER, who has been succeeded in turn by the Rev. H. C. TILTON, J. H. JENNE, R. B. CURTIS, A. C. MANWELL, W. H. SAMPSON, D. W. COMPT, E. W. KIRKHAM, C. N. STOWERS, Steven SMITH, Samuel LUGG, Thomas CLITTRO and Henry SEWELL, 1879-1880; he was followed by Rev. G. W. WELLS in 1881. On October 3, 1882, Rev. G. E. GOLDTHROP was appointed. He remained until October 13, 1885, when Rev. Thomas WALKER was appointed. October 1, 1888, Rev. Matthew EVANS became pastor. Rev. I. S. LEAVITT was appointed September 26, 1892; Rev. J. D. COLE, September 25, 1893; Rev. Andrew PORTER, October 1, 1894; Rev. H. W. THOMPSON, October 5, 1896, and Rev. W. W. WOODSIDE, October 3, 1898; Rev. James CHURCH, October 14, 1901, and Rev. W. W. WARNER was appointed September 15, 1902, and remained pastor of this church until January 30, 1904, when the First Church and the Court Street Methodist Episcopal Church were consolidated, forming a new church, named the Central Methodist Episcopal Church, which occupied the Court Street Church building, with Rev. J. H. TIPPETT as pastor.   [Source: Rock County, Wisconsin: A new history of it's cities, villages, etc., Vol. I, by William Fiske Brown (editor-in-chief); ©1908 C. F. Cooper, Chicago, IL; pp. 282-283]