In 1832 Rev Thomas Thompson, a Methodist missionary stationed on the Wyandot reservation at Upper Sandusky, came to the site of Kenton and organized a class at the cabin of George H. Houser. The class consisted of eight adults and their children. Mr. Houser was chosen as the class leader. He had come to Kenton from Union county in 1830 and erected a cabin on the North bank of the Scioto River near South Wayne Street and Decatur. He was elected a Justice of the Peace in 1833 and in 1839 moved to Indiana where he died. The class grew as more settlers came to the area over the next few years. Meetings were held in the log cabins of the settlers but soon outgrew the space the group needed. A school house was build on the southeast corner of Wayne and Ohio Streets and the class moved to this building which they continued to use until 1839. In 1839, a frame church 35 x 40 feet was built on the north half of the same lot as the log school occupied. Over the next few years the church became crowded with new members and a 40 foot addition was added to the frame building. This long structure was nicknamed the "Steamboat Church". This provided room for the growing congregation until 1850.

In 1851 a new church was built on North Main Street where the Sullivan-Johnson Museum now stands, directly across from the present building. The new church, which cost $10,000.00, was dedicated in March of 1852 by the Rev. Samuel Lynch. The pastor at this time was Wesley J. Wells. A Sunday School class of 200 members in average attendance was part of this new church. In March of 1866 it became necessary for major repairs to be made to the church structure. There were problems with the basement floor and the cupola. It was decided to remedy the problems by a thorough remodeling. A new brick front and twin towers were built along with the remodeling at a cost of $6700.00. On the day of dedication the congregation was short of the full amount by $1500.00. The dedication could not be held until the cost of the repairs was covered in full. After about two hours the funds were raised and the ceremony proceeded. The auditorium was located on the second floor and could seat 400, classrooms were on the first floor. The twin towers and the stained class windows were said to give the church a very "imposing appearance."

In 1844 the Board of Trustees raised the question of building a parsonage. After several meetings and much discussion the Trustees voted to buy lot #64 in the original plat of Kenton for $100.00. It was agreed that 4/10 of this lot was to be put aside as an eligible site for a new church at some time in the future and 6/10 of the south end was to be the site of the parsonage. During the pre-civil war years Kenton was on a circuit with part of the Bellefontaine district until 1852 when Rev. John S. Kalb was made a resident minister. In April of 1873 the Trustees sold the parsonage to Asher Letson for $1500.00 and a new lot was bought for $500.00 at 430 N. Main Street. A new parsonage of brick was built and the pastor moved his family to the new location in December of 1873. This building still stands as of today. In 1882 a pipe organ was installed in the second church, which had been built in 1851 and remodeled in 1866. This church building served the local congregation until January 19, 1890, when it was destroyed by fire.