How it all started...
Calvary Baptist Church was born in the 1930’s after a series of Evangelistic meetings. The Church organized and called themselves Evangelical Mission Covenant Church. They met on main street until the property on 703 Milwaukee Street was purchased. They built the Church building in 1937 and Pastor Holmberg was their first Pastor. While Preaching in the Pulpit on Sunday morning, at the age of 33, Pastor Holmberg had a heart attack and went home to be with the LORD. The LORD called Pastor Holsather to be their Pastor and the Church had its greatest growth. It flourished and they bought the Church Parsonage located on Johnson Street. Then one Saturday morning, while waiting to meet with a couple of men from the Church, Pastor Holsather went to be with the LORD in his office at the age of 34.
The Church became known as the Independent Mission Church in the 1960’s and then later in 1970 changed their name again to Calvary Baptist Church. Calvary has always tried to line up with the Bible and associate themselves who do as well.
In 1979, Pastor Randy Johnson was called to be the Pastor and GOD began to grow the Church again. Having a burden for Christian Education, Pastor Johnson started the Calvary Baptist Academy. With the laws in Iowa concerning education, this wasn’t an easy task. After many legal battles and finally going all the way to the Iowa Supreme Court and with the help of the Christian Law Association, Calvary was able to see the laws for education change in Iowa. This allowed them to start the Calvary Baptist Christian Academy in 1980. The Academy is still in operation to this day!
Now nearing 90 years in existence, Calvary has begun to thrive again, and has seen their ministry expand through Social Media and in many different facets of outreach. GOD is moving yet again in this Church and doing some amazing things, helping families, and seeing people break free from their bondages and thrive in life!
The Church became known as the Independent Mission Church in the 1960’s and then later in 1970 changed their name again to Calvary Baptist Church. Calvary has always tried to line up with the Bible and associate themselves who do as well.
In 1979, Pastor Randy Johnson was called to be the Pastor and GOD began to grow the Church again. Having a burden for Christian Education, Pastor Johnson started the Calvary Baptist Academy. With the laws in Iowa concerning education, this wasn’t an easy task. After many legal battles and finally going all the way to the Iowa Supreme Court and with the help of the Christian Law Association, Calvary was able to see the laws for education change in Iowa. This allowed them to start the Calvary Baptist Christian Academy in 1980. The Academy is still in operation to this day!
Now nearing 90 years in existence, Calvary has begun to thrive again, and has seen their ministry expand through Social Media and in many different facets of outreach. GOD is moving yet again in this Church and doing some amazing things, helping families, and seeing people break free from their bondages and thrive in life!
Where we are headed...
We are constantly growing in all our ministries, doing more and more to seek the lost, We also work to strengthen our community, and more importantly, Shine the light of Jesus everywhere. We are a small church with big church plans!
