In the 1890’s a new wave of independent holiness entities came into being. Some of those entities combined to become what is today The Church of the Nazarene. From those early beginnings, the Church of the Nazarene has grown to over 1.5 million members worldwide.

Real Life Community Church in Mattoon, Illinois began in 1934 and was chartered as First Church of the Nazarene. The first church building was purchased at the corner of 23rd Street and Champaign Avenue in that same year. In 1966 the present building was erected on that same corner.

In the 1970’s, when additional room was needed, the property at 2300 Champaign Avenue was purchased and a two-story education building was erected. Today that building houses the Education Center and the R.E.A.L.I.T.Y Youth “Chill” Center. In 2005, the church board and congregation chose to change the name of the church from First Church of the Nazarene to Real Life Community Church of the Nazarene.

The church has had a major impact on its community with talented pastors and lay leaders uniting together to serve God and reach the people of this area. Services are held each week to celebrate the joyous presence of Jesus Christ our Lord.