The Royal Oak Missionary Church began as an independent congregation in 1923, meeting in a store front on South Washington Street. Due to significant growth the congregation eventually relocated to what became known as “The Glory Barn” on the south side of East 11 Mile Road. In 1934 the congregation affiliated with the Missionary Church Association – which merged with the United Missionary Church in 1969, to become the current Missionary Church denomination.

            In 1939, the property across the street became available and was purchased. The house on the property at the time became the first church parsonage. Groundbreaking for the basement of the new building was held in 1949, and was completed in 1950. The church continued to grow until there was an urgent need for additional space. So, in 1953 the church contracted for the building of the super-structure, and to sell the old frame building. The first services were held in the new facility on Easter Sunday, April 18, 1954. A new parsonage was then begun in 1958 and completed in 1959. In the fall of 1960, a new Education Building was added consisting of additional Sunday School rooms, the Fellowship Hall, and the Sanctuary Overflow room.

            In 1982, the members of the IOOF Lodge Building next door approached the church to inquire if we would be interested in purchasing their building – which we did. This building has become known as the Church Annex, and serves as a ministry center for various children’s, youth, and Sunday School ministries.

            The need for space continues to be a concern for the Royal Oak congregation. Therefore, in 1998 the congregation launched an aggressive multi-stage plan for building and renovation.  The first stage of the plan called for the two parsonages to be removed from the property, the parking area to be enlarged, and a new main entrance to be added to the rear of the building along with a spacious foyer area (which was to become known as “The Gathering Place”). This project was completed in 2000.