212 E. Franklin Street
The Founding Date (original body) of the Methodist church is 1831, making this the second oldest church in the Vermillion River District. From 1829 to 1844 church meetings were held in homes and schoolhouses. The first 24 by 24 ft. church building was completed in 1845. It was located near the West Hudson Cemetery.
Rev. William Shepherd was appointed to the Hudson Circuit in 1857. He saw a need for a larger place of worship. In the fall of 1858, a new 42 ft. by 56 ft. church was erected at 212 E. Franklin Street. A basement and stain glass windows were added in 1907. A two story 36 ft. by 52 ft. education building was constructed on the north end of the church in 1969.
After seven years of planning, a renovation and addition were begun in July 2000 at a cost of approximately $750,000. During the renovation, church volunteers dismantling a wall found the 1858 dated signature of the builder, Thomas Williams. The board with his signature was saved. A service of consecration was held April 22, 2001.
The sanctuary faced north in 1858, west in 1907, and after the 2000 renovation and addition, it now faces south. The sanctuary formerly seated 145 and now seats 260.
The original 42 ft. by 56 ft. frame of the church remains intact. Huge walnut beams were found during the addition. Workers noted that if a tornado occurred in Hudson, the church would remain.
