The Old Franklin Church Endowment has been established in the Franklin County Community Foundation to provide general support to the church. Historic Old Franklin Church was the place of worship for some of the earliest settlers in Indiana. The church was built in 1831, sits on the east side of the Brookville Lake, and is visible from State Route 101. According to local records, this is the oldest church building in continuous use in the state of Indiana. The Old Franklin Church was listed in the National Register of Historical Places in 1995 as a result of its rich history.
The church was organized through the efforts of Henry Fry, an early Hoosier settler and his old friend Bishop Henry Kumler Sr. in 1824. Meetings were held in the Fry home until the church was built in 1831. The red brick building is surrounded by tombstones, with some of the founding fathers of the community and the Church buried in the adjoining cemetery. John G. and Catherine Koerner, who were charter members of the church and were the maternal grandparents of Orville and Wilbur Wright, are also buried in the cemetery.
In 1968, United Brethren Church joined the Methodist Church to become the Old Franklin United Methodist Church. There continues to be an active congregation with Pastor Jay King leading the services each Sunday morning. The congregation is made up of both local residents and those that make Union and Franklin County their recreational home during the warmer months – all are considered part the church family. Whether someone is just visiting or looking for a place to worship on a regular basis, anyone will find the congregation most welcoming.