After World War I, the area south of 40th Street and north of Minnehaha Creek was developed.

The congregation initially worshipped at the Ark Lodge Masonic Temple while the first buildings were built.

The first building was intended to house the school, with an auditorium that would serve temporarily as worship space while the main church was built.

After that, a rectory was designed by local architects George Bertrand and Arthur Chamberlin and built in 1913.

The first pastor, Father James Matthew Cleary, was very popular; the Masonic Temple was filled to its capacity of 500 for both Sunday masses.