In December of 1901 the Rev. J.W. Knight of Minier, Illinois, was called. He gave up a successful practice as an attorney to go into the pulpit. He is said to have been a great orator who made friends easily. Two members of the congregation made substantial donations, and along with the proceeds of the sale of the old building, Rev. Knight raised about $5,000 for the new church building. The Rev. Stephen Fisher of Gibson City, Illinois, a friend of Rev. Kinght's, assisted in the laying of the cornerstone. Rev. Fisher returned in October 1903 to deliver the dedicatory address when the new building was dedicated.

Rev. Knight contracted typhoid fever and had to resign. The Rev. Stephen Fisher was called. The first years of his pastorate were extremely successful and the church soon became the largest church in the twin cities. In 1911, the new addition was dedicated and the sanctuary could now seat 800 people. Every Protestant church in the town canceled services that Sunday in honor of the event and their members attended the dedication service. It was around this time that the name of the church was changed from Church of Christ, University Place to University Place Christian Church.

The church also was a meeting place for the community. Religious Leadership Schools, the State Sunday School convention and meetings of children's workers were held there. On one occassion the women of the church served a banquet for over 400 religious workers. The church took a lead in the fight for prohibition. Visitors were always warmly welcomed and made to feel at home.

Sunday School became very important in the life of the church. There were six classes for the children. Between 1920 and 1928, the average Sunday school attendance was about 550. The high attendance was October 2, 1927 when 933 people attended Sunday School.

The low point in the life of the church occurred on Sunday, March 6, 1932 when the church building burned. Because of the 6-degree weather, the custodian built a fire in the furnace about 4 a.m. The fire was discovered about 6 a.m. but it had too much of a start. The building was destroyed as many members stood by and watched. The loss amounted to $125,000. Insurance coverage was $26,000. That afternoon, members filled Trinity Methodist Church. Four members joined the church that afternoon. Russell Duncan and his fiancée, Faye Jessee, were two of those joining. Russell once jokingly remarked that the congregation even burned the church building to keep him from joining, but he joined anyway. Temporary church offices were set up in McKinley Foundation. Church services were held in Smith Music Hall on campus for which the church was charged a very nominal fee.

Offices were soon moved to the Illinois Disciple House on the corner of Wright and Springfield. Church offices were on the second floor, the Illinois Disciples Foundation offices were on the first floor and the basement was remodeled as the kitchen. Many chicken dinners were cooked there to be served upstairs. The money earned went into the building fund.

The lot was too small to rebuild on so they bought lots to the northwest of the old church. A building drive was begun and raised $75,000 to go with the insurance money. This was in the middle of the Great Depression so money was not easy to come by.

In 1933 construction finally began. The footings and basement walls were poured by Mr. E.N. DeAtley (Hilah DeAtley's father-in-law and Jack's grandfather) at a cost of $4,600. He also constructed the interior walls for $8,900.The WPA provided much of the labor. Congregation and community members also purchased "baby bonds" which paid 5% interest and provided much-needed funds. Rev. Fisher spoke at the laying of this cornerstone also. The new church was dedicated on Palm Sunday, April 5, 1936 and had a debt of $136,000. During the four years since the fire, 365 new members had been added.

In 1947, after 45 years as pastor and in his 77th year, Dr. Fisher sent his letter of resignation to the Board, effective July 1, 1948. It is said of him that he was a Minister to the community, not just the church. He was a hard worker who never said, "quit." His leadership guided University Place Christian Church through good times and bad. He was like a father to some, and a brother to many. He effectively established the concept of a church family in the congregation.