In 1933, John Hormel bought a piece of land with the desire to establish a Christian Fellowship in the Crane Addition of NE Austin. In July, 1935, a circuit-riding preacher from South Dakota named Rev. Joe Matt, Sr., came and started a Sunday School. In 1936, the Matt's built a 20x36 structure with living quarters in the back. In 1945, after 10 years, the Matt's moved to Minneapolis, and their son Rev. Joe Matt, Jr., assumed the Austin ministry for no pay. Joe Matt, Jr., received his ministerial credentials from the Hephzibah Faith Missionary Association of Tabor, Iowa. In 1948, the association disbanded and Joe, along with many other pastors, transferred his credentials to the Wesleyan Methodist Church. Up to 1950, the Chapel was organized as a mission church. On July 18, 1950, the chapel was organized and incorporated as Crane Addition Community Chapel under the laws of Minnesota, and became affiliated with the Wesleyan Methodist Church. In 1951, a new chapel was built. It was dedicated November 25, 1951. Conference President Rev. Paul L. Kindschi delivered the dedicatory address with Rev. Joe Matt, Jr., officiating the ceremony. In 1953, two more pieces of property were purchased adjacent to the church. In 1955, the first phase of the building addition was completed. This was also the year that Rev. Joe Matt, Jr., began "The Family Hour" radio broadcast which continued until 2001. By 1959, four more pieces of property were purchased for yet another building addition. By 1960, a new sanctuary that seated 325 people, with a choir loft and a nursery was completed. The church's indebtedness was always short-lived as the church had received a fair number of Hormel shares over the years which they sold at opportune times. In 1974, another $30,000 mortgage was secured to add an additional 2800 square feet to the facility. On October 6, 1991, a ground breaking ceremony occurred for the fifth building campaign. The new sanctuary and Youth Center were dedicated to the Lord as the "Cronwell Memorial Chapel and Youth Center" in honor of Dr. and Mrs. Cronwell on August 22, 1993. After many years of service by the Matt family, the chapel has been led by Randy Peterson and Chris Swarthout. A fire destroyed the church on June 10, 2005. The church was rebuilt, and the new building was dedicated on June 10, 2007. On July 13, 2008, the church became an official Wesleyan congregation.