Gerhard Becker, eldest member of the parish at the time, overturned the first shovelful of earth at the groundbreaking for Church of the Beloved Disciple on April 18, 1926. Over a thousand people from across the area attended. The building cost an estimated $70,000 – most of which was paid for during the Great Depression.

Fuller and Steckler, Erie-based architects, designed the church in an English cottage style per Bishop John Mark Gannon’s instructions. He wanted the church to resemble his first parish in Cambridge Springs. The church was distinguished by its hand-painted dome symbolizing the apostles; its Stations of the Cross, painted on copper; beamed ceiling; stone edifice; and, of course, its name.

Bishop Gannon chose the parish’s name. Many speculated he chose "Beloved Disciple" instead of "St. John" to distinguish it from other churches named for a St. John; others thought he chose it because it sounded less Catholic.

The cornerstone was laid July 18, 1926, by Bishop Gannon. This time, over 2,000 people attended, including members of other churches in Grove City and other communities. Though Church of the Beloved Disciple was not formally dedicated until Oct. 2, 1927, Rev. Cooney celebrated the first Mass in it on Easter Sunday, April 17, 1927. Bishop Gannon celebrated a Pontifical High Mass for the dedication of the church; Monsignor John Kearns of St. Michael’s Church, Greenville, gave the sermon. He noted that the two-fold purpose of the Church is "to give honor and glory to God and to aid in the salvation of men or the saving of the social life of man and the saving of his soul for immortality."

Shortly after the new church was built, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart was razed. The only remnants of that church are two statues, one of Our Lady and one of St. Anthony, for whom the Italian parishioners had great devotion. Church of the Beloved Disciple was not complete until 1950, however, when  the niche on the front of the church, which had remained empty for 23 years, was filled with a statue of St. John, the Beloved Disciple. Made of Bianca Dura marble, it was imported from Deprato Studios in Pietrasanta, Tuscany, Italy. It is 43 inches high and weighs 150 pounds.

Other construction projects through the years included a new rectory building in 1960, for nearly $74,000; and the education building in 1971, for $180,000. The buildings have been kept in good repair through the years via several maintenance projects.

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