Arlington Hills Presbyterian Church began as a mission Sunday School on February 16, 1885, under the sponsorship of East Presbyterian Church in St. Paul, Minn. Nineteen persons gathered in a private home on Jessamine Street near Payne Avenue. Teachers were supplied by East Church and First Church (which later became House of Hope Presbyterian Church).

A year later, 60 students were attending Sunday school, requiring a move to a larger location. In 1886, funds were raised to build a chapel on the property at 611 Jenks Street. This location was dedicated as a chapel on the third Sunday of August, 1886. On May 20, 1888, the Rev. J. B. Freeman, an assigned field pastor, preached his first sermon at the chapel at an evening service. By June he was preaching two sermons every Sabbath.

A petition--signed on Oct. 12, 1888, by 65 persons to organize a church--was presented to the St. Paul Presbytery. The church was organized on December 9, with 25 members received. On December 20, the church was incorporated as Arlington Hills Presbyterian Church with oversight by the Session of Central Presbyterian Church and some financial help from a few individuals of that church, including Elder R. P. Lewis of Central Church pledged $25 per month. This pledge continued until January, 1889. The new church operated under the guidance of Central Church.

In 1900 a committee was formed to build a church at Case and Edgerton. Money was subscribed, plans drawn-up, and the cornerstone laid on August 13, 1901. The building was dedicated January 12, 1902. Under the leadership of the Rev. Thomas G. Sykes, attendance grew: church membership rose to over 100 adult members and Sunday school membership grew to over 300.