The Disciples of Christ presence in North Tonawanda began in 1888 with the North Christian Church, which soon changed its name to Payne Avenue Church of Christ. By 1901, Payne Avenue Church of Christ had split and a second group had formed, the Sunday School Mission, which changed it's name to Central Church of Christ but soon came to be known as the Tabernacle. In 1920, following the death of George Rand, Sr. (and the end of the division with B. L. Rand), a movement was floated to merge the two Disciples churches into one.

Discussions were held between the leaders of the Tabernacle and Payne Avenue Church of Christ. The congregations voted to build a new church with a new name. In November 1923, both of the old congregations dissolved and they became, together, The Church of Christ of North Tonawanda. The newly merged congregation purchased the lot at the corner of Payne Avenue and Wheatfield Street for the new church. The cost of the building lot was $5,700.

When this location was chosen, this was the area of North Tonawanda where new growth was happening. The new high school was to be erected just three blocks north. (The old school, most recently named George Lowry Middle School, closed in June 2004. George Lowry was a long-time member of Payne Avenue Christian Church and a principal at the school.) The empty fields surrounding the new high school were soon to be filled with new houses.

Although the two Disciples churches had merged, they did not worship together as one. Services continued to be held at both locations.

Ground was broken for the new church home at the corner of Payne Avenue and Wheatfield Street on June 28, 1927. The original gift from the Rand children had grown to $70,000. The design of this building was chosen by George Rand, Jr. This building is a copy of an English chapel that Mr. Rand had discovered during one of his European holidays.