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Woodhaven Methodist Church was organized on March 25, 1892, as the Methodist Episcopal Church of Union Course, Queens, Long Island. Union Course was a famous horse racing course that operated from 1821-1872; by 1888 the race course was subdivided into lots for housing. The new Methodist society met in a rented building on the corner of Suedeker Avenue (now 78th Street) and 6th Street, let by the Rev. Frederick Sunton, pastor. In 1895 the first church edifice was erected on the corner of Shaw Avenue and 5th Street. At that time the society became known as the Shaw Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church.

Under the leadership of the Rev. H. H. Mower, plans were made for a larger building on the same site. On August 19, 1912, ground was broken for a frame building designed in what was described as the "Spanish Baroque" style. The completed edifice, reported variously to cost $15,000 or $16,000, was celebrated over the course of a week, culminating with the official dedicatory service led by Bishop Luther B. Wilson on Sunday, May 11, 1913.

On Monday morning, November 11, 1920, an overheated furnace caused a fire at the chancel end of the church building. Despite efforts by the pastor and a score of neighbors to save portable items, a costly Bible on the pulpit was destroyed, as were a $2,000 memorial window and the organ. The building was not a total loss and was rebuilt by the next year.

Over the years the demographics of the neighborhood have changed. At an unknown time, the congregation became known as New Life United Methodist Church.