Salem Methodist Church is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, Methodist congregation in Mercer County. It grew out of the Roberts  settlement, made in 1796, 1797 and 1798, nearly all of whose members were Methodists. The original house of worship, built of logs, 25x40, stood near or on the site of the present [1888] house at Leech’s Corners. Just when it was erected is not known with certainty. It must have been as early, however, as 1807, that being the date fixed by the most reliable authority. The house continued to be used until about 1823, when its place was taken by a frame structure, about 35x45, with gallery. This second building continued to be used until about the opening of the late war, when the third and present frame, 45x60, was built.

So far as could be ascertained the original membership of this congregation embraced the following: Robert R. Roberts and wife, John Caughey and wife Hattie, William McLean and wife, William Lindsey and wife Agnes, John McGranahan and wife, William McGranahan and wife, Smith McGranahan and wife, John Riley and wife, Thomas Roberts and wife, John Leech and wife, John McFetridge and wife, Thomas McClelland and wife, James Stevenson and wife, Lewis Roberts,  and wife, John Rogers and wife, William Steward, Nancy Wilson, Thomas Dumars and wife, James Dumars and wife, Jacob Gurwell and wife, Thomas Jolly and wife,  James Walker and wife, Morris Dunlavy and wife, William Gurwell and wife,  John Waters and wife, Probson Gibbons  and wife.

It will be seen that this nucleus of Methodism in the northern part of the county furnished the names of men and women who achieved not only a creditable local reputation, but a world-wide fame. Families are numerous who rejoice in the fact that their ancestors were connected with the old Salem (place of peace) settlement.