The Austin Methodist Church, with its Italianate bell tower, is one of Nevada's oldest surviving Methodist churches.

Methodism was practiced in Nevada as early as 1855 when the future state was still part of the Utah Territory. The first Methodist church building was erected in Virginia City in 1861 and was replaced three times by 1876.

Nevada's earliest surviving Methodist church is located in Carson City.

Source: Adapted from the NRHP nomination form.

Emma Wixom attended Sunday school here. Later, as the famous opera singer, Emma Nevada, she brought her troupe to Austin and gave a benefit concert in the church.

When we photographed the building in 2008, it was serving as a community center.