The following information taken from a pamphlet titled "Drums United Methodist Church and Valley Notes" published prior to 1972. The first regular preaching of which we have record was in 1833, when the Baltimore Conference commissioned the Rev. Joseph Lee, as a missionary in the old Jeansville Circuit, which then included White Have, Beaver Meadows, Mifflin, Drums and certain other places. There
being no church building, services were held in the school house at Drums, which then stood on the site of the present church. Because of dissatisfaction the part of the school directors of the township, the holding of services was transferred to the house of James Gilmore, father of Gilmore,who stated that his house was not controlled by trustees, and that the Methodists could use it at any time. Services were alternated between the Gilmore home and that of Henry Hooven, Which later became the home of Andrew Straw. During the summer months and on special occasions, services were held in William Smith's barn, now the property of Mrs Charles Straw. This arrangement continued for about six years. Among the early members of the church were Catherine Hunt, Harriet Yost, William Smith, Daniel Durst, and Ransom Young. In 1840 it was decided to build a Union Church, a wooden structure 32 X 41 feet. The location was near the entrance of the present cemetery. John Strunk was the builder Funds were provided by subscription and contribution of materials. It was dedicated in December of 1840, by the Revs. The first class was formed in the same fall, 1840, with Henry B. Yost as leader. Class members were Catherine Hunt, Harriet Yost, James Smith, Daniel Durst, and Ransom Young. The Union Church was used mostly by the Methodists and Presbyterians for preaching and other services, but the Union Sunday School was composed of all denominations in the locality. At the time the Union Church became in need of many repairs; a public meeting was called and it was decided to build a new church. The decision to build the present structure was made in May 1871. The building committee consisted of Rev. N. W. Colburn, Cyrus Straw, A. P. Goedecke, Stephen Drum and Andrew Straw. The construction of the present building was commenced in June 1873. It is a structure 34 X 56 feet with a main upper structure and a basement. Andrew Straw was the builder, who had associated with him as carpenters, Edward James Drum and John Reich. The first service was held in the basement February 18, 1874. The church was dedicated June 12, 1874. The small group of Presbyterians who had worshiped in the Union Church gave assistance in building the present church, a later most of them transferred their membership to the new Methodist Church. The Presbyterian ministers who are known to have officiated here were: Rev. John Johnson, Rev. C. Bridgman and the Rev. Homer S. Newcomb. During the pastorate of Rev. Robert Sheehan, excavation was made in 1948 to provide a room in the basement for recreation and worship services.
