It was the year 1972 that a group of God’s children led by Pastor O.U. Holness realized the exodus from the Mt. Eden Seventh day Adventist church, a small building at 1682 Morris Avenue to the new spacious church home at 1275 Grand Concourse. This move was necessitated by the fact that the membership had outgrown that small building. Instrumental in the search and acquisition of this new building were Pastor Riley, then president of The Greater New York Conference, Pastor O.U. Holness and some enthusiastic ardent members which included Audley Fothergill, Vida Reynolds, Ida Crawford, Peggy Nicholas, Bro. Webb and Elder Wisdom to name a few. However, the hands of God were clearly seen as he guided them in the search. The hard work and prayers of all resulted in the purchase of this edifice - “place beautiful for situation” This purchase reinforced in the believers the text “With God All Things are Possible.” There were approximately 160 members who made the move and “Grand Concourse Seventh -day -Adventist Temple” became the new name.
Shortly after arriving at Grand Concourse a crusade conducted by Pastor Holness and Pastor Trevor Fraser saw the forming of The Tabernacle of Joy company, and the establishment of that church. Pastor Holness retired in 1976 because of ill health and Pastor Trevor Fraser succeeded him as senior pastor and he served faithfully until 1979. During this time the church saw tremendous spiritual and numeric growth.
Pastor George Huggins served as senior pastor for one year and was succeeded by Pastor D. Robert Kennedy who took the helm on October 15, 1980. Pastors Willie Oliver, Allan Hay and Hugh Maynard-Reid served as associate pastors during the tenure of Pastor Kennedy.
During this period the church continued to experience tremendous growth spiritually and numerically. Major improvements were done on the physical structure leading to the Mortgage Burning and Dedication of the building September 16-18, 1983- TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!! Pastor Kennedy was succeeded by Pastor Linford Martin in 1985 and he was assisted by Pastors Charles Anderson and Andrew Hospedales respectively.
In 1988 Pastor Roy Gordon took up the mantle and Pastors Andrew Hospedales, Ivan Plummer and Bancroft Daughma served as assistants. During this period The First Ghana company was organized as an outgrowth of our congregation.
In 1990 Dr. Alanzo Smith took up the mantle and served faithfully for seven years .Pastors Canute Birch, James Patterson and Roy Bowen served as assistants during his tenure. The New Life church was planted as a result of the crusades held by Dr. Smith.
Dr. Steve D. Cassimy succeeded Dr. Smith in 1998 and served for over nine years. The assistant pastors during his tenure were, Pastors James Patterson, Rohann Wellington, Shane Vidal and Kevin Brown. Brother Granville Mc Nichol, Pastor Neylon Samuel and Bro. Garfield Thomas served as Bible Workers during his tenure. Tent crusades, including the first ever joint English/Spanish crusade led to the birth of the All Nations Company, now an organized church. Under his leadership the church became focused on strong community out reach and bonded with other community organizations. With the support of Pastor Wellington a level of increased technology was introduced. Dr. Cassimy accepted a call to departmental work in the conference and was succeeded by Pastor Allan Hay.
Pastor Hay took the helm in June 2007 and was assisted by Pastor Desta Zabolotney. Elder Garfield Thomas serves as Bible Worker. We welcome back Pastor Hay and anticipate a continued strong spiritual leadership and pastoral care. Pastor Hay is now being assisted by Pastor Julian Jones-Campbell
Each Pastor has brought his own unique experiences but in each we have seen and experienced the common thread of commitment to caring for the flock and Evangelism.