According to oral tradition, the Methodist Episcopal Church of Old River was already on this site when Emily Brown, a midwife and mother of seven who had been born enslaved in 1845, inherited the land from her employer. In 1881, Emily deeded an acre of land to the church's trustees, including her husband Thompson Brown. A short time later, the church was renamed St. Emily in honor of her service to both the white and black communities of west Chambers County. For many years, St. Emily was the only African American church in the Old River community, and its white frame building served as both church and school. One Sunday each month, when the preacher came, families brought baskets of food for a daylong event. The original building, remodeled in 1946, served the congregation for more than 95 years. After extensive fundraising, construction of a new sanctuary began in 1976 and it was consecrated in 1978. A fellowship hall was completed in 1986. Renamed St. Emily United Methodist Church in 1970, the congregation continues its long tradition of worship and service through programs including a health and welfare ministry and a higher education department.