This congregation traces its history to 1876, when the Reverend J.R.D. Taylor established a Methodist church named China Grove, with early worship services held in a nearby log church building. A chapel was constructed in 1886 on land donated by Liberty businessman William F. "Bee" Hardin, and the edifice was named Smith's Chapel Methodist Church in honor of the Reverend John A. Smith, pastor from 1884 to 1886. The church later changed its name again and in 1910 became known as Hardin Chapel Methodist Church, when renovations were also made to the building. The congregation began holding regular services in 1916 and established a Sunday School. A new sanctuary was erected in 1939, but it was destroyed by fire in 1958. Services were then held in the Hardin schoolhouse until a new structure was completed in November 1958. Property was deeded in 1960 for a parsonage, and a brick building was soon completed. Additional land adjoining the church property was donated in 1994. An integral part of the community, the church remains active after more than 120 years.