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         The first religious organization was the Methodist Episcopal Church, which was organized in 1846. At present and for several years, their meetings have been held in a district school house in the north part of the township.

         The Missionary Baptists organized a church in 1847, which, however, continued only two years.

         The Friends organization of Springdale was held for one year (about 1850), at the house of Lawrie Tatum, but since that time, members of that denomination attend meetings at Springdale.

         Pleasant Hill congregation of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church is located at Pedee. It was organized with fourteen members in December, 1849. In the Winter of 1866-67, Rev. R. A. Ferguson held a protracted meeting, by which the church received an accession of 112 members. Their present membership is about fifty-five. Their church building, 32x48 feet, was erected in 1857, one mile south of Pedee.

         The Free-Will Baptists organized the Bethel Church in June, 1867. They have a good frame meeting house, 30x45 feet, situated in the timber, a mile or two below the Rochester ferry. Their membership is about sixty.

         The Cumberland Presbyterians organized the Union Valley Church in March, 1871, with twenty-three members. They have now about thirty-five members. Rev. Milo Hobart was Pastor there and at Pleasant Hill in 1876. They have a good frame meeting house about 30x50 feet, handsomely finished.

         Sabbath schools have been held by all the churches in the township, and for some years there have been one to two Sabbath School Conventions each year, in which there is a union and harmonious action of the various schools.