Constructed in 1871 to 1878, the Salem First United Methodist Church is a historic building listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built for the local Methodist congregation as a replacement to the older and smaller building that used to stand on the site.

The First United Methodist Church was completed in 1878, even if there was an economic turmoil going on. It was designed in the Late Gothic Revival architecture, made with beautiful red bricks, giving the structure more charm.

The First United Methodist Church continues to function as a place of worship until today. In 1992, it expanded by purchasing the nearby Salem Elks building, which it transformed into a youth center and the Underground, which is popular for being an alternative worship experience.