Our History

The Montclair Fellowship Tabernacle, formerly known as the Montclair Church of God, had its origin at 119 Lindsey Place in East Orange New Jersey. Pastor A. I. Kellingbeck, under the leading of the Holy Spirit, held the first prayer meeting in March of 1982.

Prayer meetings were held for thirteen consecutive weeks. Between the months of July and November of 1982, the Lord directed the Pastor to search for a permanent place of worship. At 6 a.m., on November 21, 1982, the doors of the sanctuary at 112 Bloomfield Avenue were opened. The church started with the pastor, five adults and four children. During the first service, the Lord confirmed His work by giving the scripture, Psalm 46 and the theme, "Pray Again."

By 1983, twenty-two new members were added to the membership: thirteen were baptized and nine were given the right hand of fellowship. As Pastor Kellingbeck preached, taught, and conducted various activities under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, auxiliaries were formed: the Sunday School, Youth, Ladies’, Men's, and later the Missionary Department.

As the church grew, 112 Bloomfield Avenue was no longer ideal. In the New Year's Eve 1990’s service, the word from the Lord was from Is.54:12:" Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitation; spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes." At the beginning of 1992, Pastor Kellingbeck and the Board of Trustees began a search for a new church home. It was during this period that we relocated to a temporary place of worship at the Bright Hope Youth Center in Montclair.

In April 1992, after much prayer and fasting, negotiations began for the purchase of the property at 61 Elm Street in Montclair. On November 9, 1992, the Township’s Planning Board granted approval for a 146-seat sanctuary, with a future residence for the Pastor. With God's continued direction, a bank loan was secured through The Provident Bank. That in itself was a miracle! By June of 1997, construction of the sanctuary was underway. Four years later, in February of 1999, the members of the Montclair Fellowship Tabernacle moved into their newly erected sanctuary. A vacant lot that was an eye sore to the community and had laid waste for 20 years was turned into a monument for God!

Since then, God continues to be faithful. Pastor Kellingbeck became very ill and during the time of extended illness, Minister Griffiths worked with the Church Board and the work did not fail. Unfortunately, Pastor A.I. Kellingbeck passed away in 2013, four months after Minister Griffiths was ordained as Pastor of Montclair Fellowship Tabernacle.

Pastor Griffiths has a passion for God’s work. Her no nonsense approach and sense of humor has gained her the love and respect of the members and those who have come to know her. Her vision is to see Montclair Fellowship Tabernacle become “the first century church in the 21st century.”

The church is now undergoing a reconstruction project. The first floor of our two story structure will house the main sanctuary, a prayer room, choir loft, and restrooms. Plans for the second floor include classrooms, offices and conference rooms. The basement will include a baptistery, changing rooms and a banquet hall (with a commercial kitchen) so that we can serve the needs of the community.