The synagogue was built in 1883 and was subsequently used as a church from 1932 until 1977; when it was sold to the Outagamie County Historical Society for use as a history museum.

According to a plaque outside the building, Houdini's father, Rabbi Mayer Samuel Weiss, helped plan the temple, which was "built with the financial support of many in Appleton regardless of their religion or background."

The congregation added a small school behind the synagogue, where Edna Ferber was an early student, devoting a chapter to her life in Appleton in her 1938 memoir.

The building is not especially Jewish in style but rather a unique religious space as interpreted by Midwestern German craftsmen.

The church, at the time known as Pentecostal Evangelical Tabernacle, became affiliated with the General Council of the Assemblies of God and changed its name to Appleton Gospel Temple.