Calvary
Baptist Church had its beginning in 1969. Rev. W. Kenneth Hamann and a
small group of people met for worship in the Hamman's home in Center
Junction. After a few meetings they rented the community room in Onslow
for their services. The first service in Onslow was held June 8, 1969.
On July 23, 1970 two lots were purchased for construction of a
future church facility. The site is directly across Third Street from
the Onslow school. On Sunday, October 31, 1971, a ground breaking
ceremony was held with the Rev. Hamann turning the first shovel of
earth. It was not until June of the following year that digging of the
basement began.
Contractors dug the basement and put up the shell
of the building. Families of the church finished the inside of the
building with the exception of the utility work.
Solid oak pews
and a new piano were purchased in preparation for the first service in
the new church, September 3, 1972, the Rev. Hamann serving as pastor.
In the fall of 1976 an addition to the front of the church was
completed. This included a foyer and a second stairway leading to the
basement area.
Through the years a number of furnishings have
been added to the sanctuary and exterior of the church in memory of
loved ones. These include a solid oak communion table (1975), a matching
pulpit (1980), a Thomas electric organ (1982), a matching two-seat
sedilia or clergy pew with cherry upholstered seat and back (1998), and
a cross which was mounted on the front of the church (1998). The
sanctuary and foyer were carpeted in a red wine carpet (1983). The men
of the church sided the building with vinyl siding in 1985.
In
1973, a home was purchased by the church and remodeled for use as the
first parsonage. It was remodeled again in 1997 and sold shortly
thereafter. On March 11, 1997 a home at 106 Second Street was purchased
for a new parsonage.
"To God Be The Glory" was the theme that
rang throughout the Calvary Baptist Church as the 25th anniversary of
the church was celebrated, June 25, 1995. Both former and present
members of the congregation, friends, family members, and former
pastors, wives and families came together for a time of praise, worship,
celebration and challenge. All former pastors and the current one were
present excepts for the Rev. Maurice Gamble who went to be with the
Lord, September 11, 1978.
Among those present were the church"s
organizer and first pastor, Rev. W. Kenneth Hamann and his wife, Jan.
Also in attendance were pastors Rev. Frank Heubner and wife, Kris, Rev.
Frederick C. W. Kieland and wife, Hazel. Each of these ministers, as did
Rev. Hamann, spoke to the group of guests that day. Their wives
entertained with moments of reminiscing. One sang a beautiful solo. A
noon meal was served to accommodate each one. This was served between
the morning and afternoon services.
The Pastor at this time, Rev.
Frederick Kramer and his wife, Doris, were host and hostess for this
special event.
Worship
and prayer services as well as the Sunday School for all ages have
always been a vital part of Calvary Baptist Church. One out growth of
the Sunday School has been a very effective Vacation Bible School each
summer. The past three years we have been privileged to have our school
coordinated by Rev. Fred and Donna Aljets, Missionaries to Children. Our
church also sponsors a Kids Klub which meets weekly as does an
inspirational Ladies Bible Study.
We are a church that believes
in missions and missionaries. Partial support is cheerfully and
systematically given to current and retired missionaries.
The
business of the church is managed wisely with annual, semi-annual,
quarterly, and called meetings with the membership. Also, boards and
committees are meeting regularly.
In the words of Rev. Chas.
Heckert (a former pastor), "We want to reach out the gospel of Christ
and teach and preach the word of God, so all feel welcome to come to
know the Word of God and grow in the Lord."
Pastors that have served the church include the Reverends:
W. Kenneth Hamann, 1972-1973
Frederick C. W. Keil, 1974-1975
Maurice Gamble, 1975-1978
Frederick C. W. Keil, 1978-1980
Frank Heubner, 1980-1982
Frederick C. W. Keil, 1982-1983
Frederick Kramer, 1983-1996
Dean Hiner, 1996-1997
Charles Heckert, 1999-2000
Fred Aljets, 2001-2001
John McIntosh, 2001-
Boyd Wasson
submitted the article and photos.
