David Spencer, of department store fame, made the church possible when he obtained the land on which it was built. A Sunday School was already operating at Kingston Street school under the supervision of Miss Spencer when the committee engaged Thomas Hooper, architect of the newly constructed Metropolitan (United since 1926) Church. W.S. Hurst constructed the building at a cost of $2,250. Although it could accommodate more than 300 persons, only 200 chairs and 100 hymn books were initially provided.

The Rev. Dr. Ebenezer Robson, brother of John Robson who was British Columbia's ninth premier and former editor of the Colonist, conducted the dedication service on Sunday, August 28, 1892. The church was filled and, owing to lack of ventilation, many suffered discomfort in the gallery. Dr. Robson was one of the first four Methodist missionaries to come to the colony and he always claimed he was first to disembark from the ill-fated SS Pacific at Esquimalt.

George Herbert Morden was the first minister of the James Bay Church. He eventually entered the business world and served as mayor of North Vancouver seven times.

Eleven of David Spencer's 13 children sang in the choir, and Chris Spencer was the organist and choir leader until 1907 when he moved to Vancouver.

Although for many years this church was the only place of worship in the area, improvements came slowly. Pews replaced the chairs in 1921, but the Depression forced the sale of the westerly lot. Thanks largely to the efforts of the women's groups, the church survived. In 1938 the old classrooms on the south side of the building were torn down and a new foundation provided.

After reaching a peak in 1958, attendance fell until the redevelopment of James Bay which brought about renewed interest in the church. In 1973, extensive renovations took place and six years later heritage designation was obtained for the building. It was in 1978 that the church acquired its 38th minister - the first full-time incumbent.

The church was mainly responsible for the formation of the James Bay New Horizons Society and was active in setting up the James Bay Community project, as well as the building of Beckley Farm Lodge for the care of senior citizens.

In 2002 major renovations to the sanctuary were carried out, including replacing and reorienting the seating, and uncovering the windows on the East side of the building.