The baton for completing the construction of the church was passed on to Elder Charles Cheatham who served at the helm from 1963-1968.  As a result of an intensified building campaign and with the collective efforts of the members a ground breaking ceremony was held on April 5, 1964. Initially, the architects plans included the installation of a flat roof.  The church family felt that such a design would not provide the kind of ambiance that they envisioned. A business meetng was called and the members voted along with Elder Charles Cheatham to choose a gabled roof. This is the style of the roof on the church today.

Among the outstanding leaders who served in the church during those crucial years when it was establishing its roots were Mother Caroline Wyatt, Joseph Britt & family. Pastors Daniel Davis and Charles Cheatham were blessed by the service of these stalwart members. Sister Caroline Wyatt was the treasurer who worked with Elder Cheatham when the gabled roof was installed and Joseph Britt served the church as Elder and continued to do so with the pastors that followed.

With the two-car garage remodeled into the structure that we worship in and praise God for today, the vision of that faithful Bible study group became a reality known as the First Seventh-day Adventist Church of Montclair. The doors were opened for the first worship service on March 27, 1965. The speaker for the grand opening was Pastor W. A. Thompson. With no traces of its humble beginnings, this present day edifice consists of a sanctuary that includes a balcony, pulpit, choir stand, and baptismal pool, a foyer with a balcony entrance, a mothers room, a coat room, offices and a finished basement.

God’s blessings continued to be bestowed on the congregation in the form of Pastor Mark McCleary’s, (wife, Queenie and family) ministry.  Along with the dedicated service of his wife, Pastor McCleary made a great contribution to the church and community of Montclair. In 1986 the church widened its outreach to the community by operating a soup kitchen on Sundays. The Soup Kitchen provided hot meals that were served at the church as well as the distribution of food and clothing to anyone in need. That program continues to operate today. Under the administration of Pastor McCleary the following were implemented: a financial stewardship campaign that proved successful and resulted in a debt free church; two successive evangelistic tent meetings; numerous ingathering campaigns; the first church van was purchased; also an organ, a piano, and sound system. The membership grew from 129 to 219. Pastor McCleary also made the initial inquiry regarding the property located next to the church building. First Church would later acquire that property. After eight years (in 1993) the Lord directed the pastors journey to another vineyard.

Pastor Bruce Banner (wife, Lillian and family) served as pastor during 1998-2000. Under his leadership the church purchased a new van.

In September 2000 – July 2004, First Church was once again blessed,  with the ministry of Dr. Marcus E. Harris (wife, Arlene and family). It was during his ministry that we celebrated our second Homecoming Celebration, which was held July 27-28, 2001. Pastor Alvin M. Kibble was the Divine Worship speaker. The celebration theme was “Our Joumey…Past to Present.”   Pastor Harris reminded us, “Our experience together is indeed a joumey. One that has intersecting relationships that unites the past, with the present and future. Upon faith, heritage and work of our church ancestors, we presently stand. The paths we forge today will set the stage for our future generations.” He instituted the first Pastors Preaching Class culminating with a grand graduation ceremony.

ln April 2005, Pastor Moses Eli was assigned to our church as Associate Pastor. His first sermon was preached on May 7, 2005.  He was a 2005 graduate of Andrews University. The church looked forward to the additional blessings that were sure to come as a result of Pastor Eli being used by God.  In June 2006, he served as the sole pastor of the First Seventh-day Adventist Church of Montclair until September 2008. During his tenure at Montclair, he led the church through various renovation projects including: installing a previously purchased mounted church sign, purchasing and installing an illuminated church sign and installing a central air-conditioning system for the church. He also has led his church to be actively involved in community outreach projects. They sponsored an annual community health fair, a host church for Inter-faith Hospitality Network, a non-profit organization in which homeless families are housed and cared for while they are assisted in becoming self-sufficient. Also, they sponsored a motorcycle club and initiated the first annual bike blessing in which motorcyclists were able to hear the gospel presentation. He has great enthusiasm for Drama Ministry. He has written, directed and starred in many plays on university campuses, campmeetings and churches. Pastor Eli became an active member of two inter-faith organizations: The Montclair Clergy Association and The Montclair African-American Clergy Association. As a result of his dedication, commitment, and leadership he was elected as the Vice-President of the Montclair African-American Clergy Association.