In 1854 the first settlers arrived at Salt River, and in 1855, the Reverend Charles Taylor preached the first sermon there In 1887 Salt River nearly destroyed by fire, and the village of Shepherd was incorporated.
In 1881 the Ladies’ Aid Society for the Methodist Episcopal Church of the Salt River Charge was organized. The purpose of the organization was to raise money for buying a lot and erecting a church. In fact, the Society bought the first load of lumber used in the building.