By the early 1960's the core body of the church membership began to develop. Individuals and families such as the Griffiths, Walsh, Kerr, Brown, Mignott, Chetram, Maragh, Marshalee, Anderson, Cameron, Myrie, Hamilton, Fray, Tai, McLaren, Williams, Subbrian and Moss, to name a few.
The *Gretna Green SDA Church was transferred to the current larger facility at 114a Hagley Park Road on the opposite side of the street. It was under the strong leadership of Pastor A.D. Laing and a committed membership that this magnificent edifice was completed. By then the church membership stood at over 500 in good and regular standing. In 1972, this new building was dedicated to our Master's service as the Hagley Park SDA Church.
In the year 1943, after much prayer and consultation with a few brethren from the Regent Street Seventh-Day Adventist church, Bro. Samuel Bruce along with brothers Herbert Thomas, Hubert Smith, Robinson, Francis, Mittoo, Sisters Estelle Salmon, Mary Thomas and others launched a house to house campaign in the Cockburn Pen Area where tracts were handed out, words of God were preached. They formed themselves into a company.
After a time, a piece of property was obtained by lease from the Housing Authority by the three and one half (3 ½) miles substation, facing the Biscuit Factory on Spanish Town Road.A large size building was constructed of wattle (or sticks) and thatched with fronds from the coconut palm. Seats were made from two pieces of bamboo set in wood placed in the ground. The roof was made with a few pieces of board and zinc. From this small beginning a company had forms as there were no churches in the area. A Bible class was started in this building each Tuesday by Bro P.B. Kelly, who had joined with his wife and two sons, namely, Dr. Donald Kelly and educator Eyon Kelly. The Bible class was followed by Sunday and Wednesday night meetings. These individuals enjoyed sweet fellowship.
As time went by, it was decided to have Sabbath worship, so in 1944 the first Sabbath service was held. Hubert Smith was the Superintendent, Mary Thomas was secretary and the pastor was George E. Smith. They were organized into a company later in the year with Pastors Crowfoot and R.H. Pierson presiding. There favourite song from the “Christ in Song was:-
“Awake my soul in joyful lays,
And sing the great Redeemer’s praise
He gently leads my soul along,
His loving kindness Oh how strong’
They welcomed pastors and interns, such as Pastor W. U. Campbell, Pastor Cebert F. Edwards and Pastor Clyde C. Nesbett.