Methodist Episcopal Church was first made a regular place by the Rock River M. B. Conference in 1840. It then formed a part of Savanna Circuit. Previous to that time Revs. Phillip K. Hanna, Wm. Hobert and John Kilpatrick, had preached occasionally at private houses. In 1840 Rev. Philo Judson was pastor, but there is no record of the names of the members of the church. In 1841 Rev. Win. W. Buck, assisted by Rev.G.L.S. Stuff, were the pastors. In 1842 Albany became a part of Union Circuit, with Rev. C. Campbell as pastor, who also remained during 1843. A. M. Early became pastor in 1844. The next year a small frame building was erected for church and school purposes. Rev Isaac Searles, pastor. Then followed Revs. James McKean, Charles Babcock, Wm. Haney, Mathew Hanna and Benj. Appelbee, until 1853 when the Circuit was again divided, and Albany, Erie and Newton made a Circuit called Albany Circuit, Rev. Quimby, pastor. The membership was then recorded as 172. In 1854 first parsonage was built in Albany, Rev. A. P. McCool, pastor. He remained during the next year. 1856, Rev. A. D. Field, pastor. In 1857 the church bought the school interest in the building and enlarged it, Rev A.M. Early, pastor. In 1858, Rev. Z. S. Kellogg, pastor. During the conference year ending 1860 the tornado occurred in which the church and parsonage were both destroyed. The Rev. Z. S. Kellogg lost his furniture, but none of his family were seriously injured, and no member of the church reported hurt. Rev. Mathew Hanna was pastor during the conference year following. In 1861 the present brick church edifice was erected by subscription obtained principally from M. E. Churches at the East. It was dedicated the same year, Rev. Frost, pastor. Mr. Frost remained until 1864. From that time until 1868, Revs. J. W. Jacobs and C. Combs were pastors. In the latter year Rev. Barton H. Cartwright became pastor, and loaned the church $600 to build a parsonage, doing a large share of the work himself. From 1869 to 1876 Revs. W. S. Young, Z. D. Paddock, A. C. Frick, M. C. Smith, and C. E. Smith have been pastors, the latter being still in charge. The number of members at present is 170.
Source: Bent & Wilson History of Whiteside County 1877
