The first Methodist Church was built around 1828 on Jessie and Elizabeth Armstrong's (see picture below) place about two and one-half miles northwest of Hayden. They entered 248 acres of land in what was at that time called Rockland Community. The Armstrong's organized and built a small one room log church with puncheon seats and a fireplace for heat.  This was the first organized church in the Rockland Community.  It was called the Methodist Episcopal Church and was used for twenty years.

The second church building was moved from there in 1848 to where the second parsonage was located. This was also a log building and was built on land owned by William and Mary Armstrong.  In 1883, they deeded the land to the trustees of El Bethel Methodist Church of the Village Springs Circuit. The trustees were: Mr. N. L. Hayes (Uncle Buddy), Mr. N. C. Russell, Mr. W. T. Neely (Tom), Mr. I. T. Armstrong (Isaac Thomas), and Mr. T. L. Hays (father of Buddy).

  On October 28, 1911, D. D. Armstrong, and wife, M. E. and William Armstrong and wife, Lucinda deeded extra property to El Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church. In that same year, the L & N Railroad, paid Rockland School $25.00 and El Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church $15.00 for a right of way for construction of the line which was completed in 1914.

  In 1914, the Rockland Community changed its name to Hayden. The name Hayden was chosen to honor one of the first settlers, Major Hayden, a former Civil War Army Officer. He died and was buried on a hill near his home on what is known as Hayden Mountain.

  The third church building was a frame building built in 1915, where the present church is located. Vandiver Chapel, a Methodist Church, was torn down and part of the lumber was used in the construction of the church. The Reverend W. R. Parker was one of the early pastors of this church.  The first parsonage was built around 1918.

  About 1927, Graves Gap Methodist Church decided to join El Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church in Hayden. The proceeds of the sale were used to purchase land from Jeff Grubbs. The land was used as a pasture for the pastor's cow and is located where the present tennis courts are now.

  The fourth church, The Hayden First United Methodist Church of today, was built in 1935. It is a red brick building and is on the same property given by Mr. and Mrs. William Armstrong. The Reverend A. H. Walden was the pastor. Some of the material from the old churches was used to build the present building.  Members built the church and also furnished the materials. Rocks were hauled with mules and wagons for the foundation. Trees were cut from there forests and hauled to the mill to provide the needed lumber. Much love and dedicated work were put into this building.

  The educational and fellowship hall wing was built during 1957-58 while the Reverend J. C. Willingham was pastor. The second brick parsonage was built in 1964 while the Reverend R. L. Melvin was pastor. The double tennis courts were built in 1975. The Reverend Steve Hallman initiated the building of the tennis courts.

  In 1989 the State Highway Department widened Highway 160 and bought the old parsonage. Funds from the sale of the old parsonage was applied to the building of the new parsonage which is located at 101 Hayden Springs Road.  On January 21, 1990 a Dedication Service was held with The Bishop J. Lloyd Knox presiding. The Rev. Charles Hazel, was the Albertville District Superintendent, and The Rev. Roy E. Bryant the pastor. Mr. Paul Pearson, Administration Chairperson, Jean Culwell and Violet Pearson Co-Chairpersons of the Parsonage Committee.