Finally on Sunday, March 30th, 1952, the “new” church building was opened.  The service was presided over by Rev. Manning and Mr. Montgomery, both from the Victorian Baptist Home Mission Society, and the preacher was Rev. J.E. Newnham.
 
The eight foundation members were Mrs. A. Bree, Mrs. E. Jeeves, Mr. L. Jones, Mrs. A. Jones, Mr. S. Jordan, Mrs F. Jordan, Miss D. Schafer and Miss R. Ward.

The Rev. J.H. Baker (from Lilydale Baptist) was minister from 1952 until 1954, with Mr. Len. Jones the first Secretary and Mr. Sid Jordan Treasurer.  Miss Grace Dodge was (reluctantly!) the first organist, handing the responsibility for the “Deadly Treadly” to Mrs. Millie Jones whenever she could!

Mrs. Jones is also remembered for her Ford Prefect, in which she would squeeze about ten children as she picked them up for Sunday School. She apparently had two speeds, “fast’ and “stop”! But the children always arrived safely...and on time!
Rev. Baker is remembered as a “people person’. He would visit many in Mooroolbark who had no connection with a church whatsoever, and he would often stop to chat to people in the street on the way to church. As a result, many came, drawn by his friendliness and sincerity.
 
Sometimes visiting preachers would travel all the way out to “the sticks” to speak to the congregation at Mooroolbark. They would be provided with a map and detailed directions, but that would not always guarantee that they would arrive! Len Jones was always ready for such an occasion, with a specifically prepared sermon in his pocket. The excellent sermon he delivered at an early Sunday School Anniversary when the preacher didn’t show is still remembered by Mr. Jordan today.

Don Prout was often invited to speak, and it was not uncommon to see him sqeezed into a local telephone box putting the finishing touches to his sermon!

In August 1952 Mr. Jordan was appointed Sunday School Superintendent, the beginning of what was to be a 50 year commitment to this work.

In January 1953 Grace Dodge was welcomed into fellowship and became the first member after affiliation.

Grace and her family had been associated with the Sunday School since its days at the Jordan’s house, and in 1949 the first Sunday School picnic was held at the Dodge property.

The first baptisms were conducted at Lilydale Baptist in February 1953, where Mr.and Mrs.Washfold were baptised then welcomed into fellowship at a special communion service.  At the baptismal service Mr. Bree responded to the Gospel, gave his life to the Lord Jesus and was baptised in March – the first recorded conversion of the new fellowship.
 
In May evening services began on the 2nd and 4th Sundays at which Sankeys hymns were sung and enjoyed by all.

Two annual services which began at this time were the Sunday School Anniversary and the Harvest Thanksgiving Service.