In 1866, the Reverend Isaac Bliss was appointed by the Illinois Conference of Free Methodists to establish missions in Eastern Iowa, and soon established a mission church in the Cedar Rapids area. His work was successful, and by 1877, the Free Methodists of Cedar Rapids had the Reverend Warren C. Thompson appointed as their pastor. Under Reverend Thompson's supervision, a new church was soon completed in 1878 in the Oak Hill-Jackson area of Cedar Rapids. The need for the building was easily justified as Reverend Thompson reported that up to 1500 people heard him preach on occasion in the streets of Cedar Rapids before the church was built.

Free Methodists were known for their expressive type of worship in services with shouts of "Amen" and "Praise the Lord!" They were known for their plain buildings and dress. They sought to place emphasis upon the godly character and a person's proper relationship with God.

As a congregation, Free Methodists met for Sunday school, Morning Worship, afternoon "Class Meetings," and held Evening Service and Prayer meetings weekly. Their zeal and commitment often meant a small group was able to support a pastor and church organization with little difficulty. Revival meetings, camp meetings, and protracted meetings up to six weeks are all a part of the church's heritage.

The "Free" in the name Free Methodist was coined at the church's organization because of several historical issues in early Methodism. The term "free" described non-liturgical services, which were to be free to the Spirit's leadership. Also, the church said all Christians should be "free" from slave holding. They held to the "free" pew system in opposition to the pew rental system that discriminated against the dignity of the poor. Finally, members were to be "free" of "oath bound" secret societies such as the Free Masons, the Odd Fellows or the Grange.

In 1916 the Free Methodists ceased using the Oak Hill building for their own worship, but maintained it as a place for mission Sunday School for many years after they had moved to the northwest area of the city. The Reverend George W. Willis, a black pastor from Bethel Springs, Tennessee, eventually purchased the building from the Free Methodists. There, the Rev. Willis conducted community services until 1925, when the growing Black congregation incorporated as Christ's Sanctified Holy Church. However, the Black congregation remained Methodist in doctrine and practice.

Following the deaths of the Reverend Willis and the Reverend H.G. Darden, the church continued on under the leadership of Willis's daughter, Mrs. Viola Gibson, who served as pastor until her retirement and the closing of the church in 1973. In May of 1974, the building was moved to this location with the assistance of the #5 Turner Alley Chapter of Questors, and the direction of Parks Commissioner Stanislav Reinis.