Transcription contributed by Arne H Trelvik 7 Sep 2003

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The Methodist Protestant Church at Lebanon. – The Methodist Protestant Church in the United States was formed in 1830 by a secession from the Methodist Episcopal Church. The primary cause of the secession was dissatisfaction with the Episcopacy and the organization of the conferences whereby all authority in the church was placed in the hands of the Bishops and ministers, to the exclusion of the lay members. The church holds the same doctrinal views as the parent body and differs from it in but few points of ecclesiastical government though rejecting the Episcopacy.

The Lebanon Methodist Protestant society originated in a secession from the Methodist Episcopal Church. The society was organized September 14, 1846, at a meeting in Masonic Hall, forty-six male members being present. The first trustees of the society were Henry Howry, Amos Barr, Michael Peckinpaugh, Asbury Frazier, Joel G. Rockhill, Jacob Smith and Peter Farner. The church edifice on Mulberry street, upon which the town-clock is placed, was commenced immediately after the organization of the society, and was dedicated May 30, 1847. At the time of the dedication, the membership was about 120. The first pastor was Rev. R. M. Dalby. Among the original members were many active and influential men. For several years the new society flourished and it was an important body. In later years the membership has been small. Among the pastors have been Rev. T. B. Graham, Rev. J. M. Young, Rev. W. R. Parsons, Rev. J. E. Snowden, Rev. A. P. Powelson and Rev. William Hollinshed.