Growth

The membership of the church grew and these families began to fellowship with them, namely:  Salmon, Tomlinson, Lynch, Cayman, Watson and Mittoo. In the year 1945 they had their baptism – three souls were baptized:- Salmon, Tomlinson and Mittoo. Many other individuals joined the church including Brother and Sis Hall of the Hall’s Shoe Factory, their son Irving Hall and daughter Beryl Hall. Their financial help was the great upkeep and support to a small day school which began on August 5, 1945, with ten (10) children. Its chief aim was that these students be instructed from the Sabbath School Quarterly. 

They had plans to erect a permanent structure, but were met with difficulties as materials bought were stolen and the overseer for the land told them they should not continue building until they contacted them.

 Brother Claude Tomlinson, who had a property in Delacree Lane, a few chains from Three Miles, kindly consented to give a spot for the erection of the church. The church was built and worship continued. Disaster struck in the early fifties in the form of Hurricane Charlie, and levelled the church.   During the years, the church was privileged to have Pastors Hilbert E. Nembhard, Herbert Fletcher, Oswald Gordon and C.Binns under whose leadership the building was finished and dedicated to the glory of God.  Pastors Albert A. Morgan, Fred E. Whyte and James G. Bennett were responsible for seeing that the mortgages for Gretna Green Church were paid off and that the first organ and new benches were bought for the church. 

The members of the company, continued in much prayer and fasting as the Lord’s for guidance. Soon a spot was sighted at Gretna Green Avenue. All the members made contribution of cows, goats, board, cement, steel, grave, cash and labour. Many fund raising ventures and sacrifices were made in order to purchase of the property and finance the building of the church. Many builders such as Brothers: Hall, Myrie, Hamilton, Bartholomew, Kelly, Campbell, women and children and others assisted greatly in the construction of the Gretna Green Church.

Pastor A.D. Laing came in October 1967 and the membership of the church grew rapidly and plans were afoot to locate another piece of land on the other side of Hagley Park Road to erect a place of worship. The church met with great difficulties as the government was not too keen in having a church erected in this commercial area. Brother Harvey Hamilton did the blue print for the erection of the Hagley Park S.D.A. Church at 114A Hagley Park Road. Pastor A.D. Laing went overseas soliciting fund from individuals whom he knew could assist him. These families;- The Halls,  Tais, Hamilton and several others dedicated their means, time and prayers in the erection of the Hagley Park Church.  The people under the leadership of Pastor A.D. Laing had a mind to work and God blessed their efforts and crowned them with success, thus making it possible for us to be worshipping in this church, erected to the glory of God and for the promulgation of the Gospel to all who will accept the Three (3) Angels Message of Revelation 14: 6-12.