Reverend E. C. Clemens, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Anoka, assisted by the Carters, held a revival in July of 1901, at which 25 persons joined the infant church. These new members were organized into a Bible class with membership in the Anoka Church.

Benjamin Shattuck donated a one-half acre site for the church building and cemetery.  In January 1902 the cornerstone of the chapel was laid by Joseph Holden of Anoka and the work of building began in earnest directed by Erick Johnson.  All labor was donated by the members

Using a nail keg as a pulpit, James Carter preached the first sermon to the members seated on chairs and boxes brought from home.  The nail keg was replaced the following Sunday by a "fine" pulpit made and presented by the Reed and Sherwood Lumber Company of Anoka.  The Chapel, free of debt, was dedicated on July 17, 1902, by Bishop Isaac W. Joyce.

Joyce Chapel was separated from the Anoka Methodist Church in 1908 and received it's first appointed pastor,  Rev. Kirby Chapman, a Baptist Evangelist. There were 9 people on the original membership rolls with a Sunday School membership of 40.

The little church was shared by the Methodist's, Baptist's, Congregationalist's, and even had a Catholic pianist at one time. Many of the early pastors were Baptist, including the first woman pastor, Ina Gates Stout, from 1913 to 1917.

The fast growth and transformation of the area from farmland to streets of residential homes revealed the need of a new church building. In December of 1949, plans were started to relocate the Joyce Chapel congregation and build a new facility which would better serve the needs of the growing community.  Rev. Ray Overmire was appointed in 1951 to help lead the congregation through this transition.

June 4, 1953 the congregation gathered at the original Joyce Chapel site to travel to its new location. With shovels and spades in hand, the processional traveled to the new site near Coon Rapids Boulevard and Hanson Boulevard where the ground breaking ceremony took place.  The cornerstone was laid on November 29, 1953, they began worshiping in the Social Hall in December and the Sanctuary was ready for worship on Palm Sunday, April 11, 1954.

The name was changed to Coon Rapids Methodist Church and the Joyce Chapel building was sold to the city for use as a town meeting hall.

A parsonage was built though the efforts of volunteer labor during the summer and fall of 1956 on a site donated by Mrs. Bertha Barney and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Barney. Upon its completion the Reverend Dexter F. Miller and his family moved into the new residence as the congregation's first full time minister.

The Church and Sunday School continued to grow and, in October of 1958, two sessions of Sunday School and morning worship were begun. The continued growth made evident the need of an addition to the church. On November 25, 1962, the educational and social wings of the church were dedicated under the direction of the Rev. Donald Germain.

In the following years the church continued to experience new growth and vitality under the direction of the Rev. Harold Zart and the Rev. Carlton Forshee. The sanctuary was completely remodeled and the beautiful sanctuary, with its new stained glass windows, was dedicated in May of 1985. A new parsonage was built in the Spring of 1986.

The Rev. Grant Tanner and his family came to Coon Rapids in June of 1986. He discovered a church alive in faith and open to sharing their wealth of talents and gifts. The following years have witnessed an ever growing ministry with lay leadership at many key positions in music, youth, Sunday School  and visitation.

In the Spring of 1995 the Social Hall, Sanctuary, and offices were torn down to make room for a new and larger Sanctuary, nursery, music room, chapel, library, narthex and office area.  The first service in this new facility was held on Christmas Eve 1995.

In June of 2000, Rev. Mark Miller was appointed by Bishop John Hopkins to serve as Pastor of the Coon Rapids United Methodist Church.

As of March 1, 2003 we welcome Pastor William Reinhart as a second full time pastor.

In 2006 there was an addition of a multi-purpose room and restrooms along with remodeling of the kitchen, music room and chapel.

We are in the planning stages of giving birth to another worship site in the Andover area.

May we all continue to "Go and Make Disciples of Jesus Christ"!

Click here for an article on Joyce Chapel from the city of Coon Rapids