Our Story

We are already in the middle of a journey—a rather wild ride. Calvary’s first real home was downtown at the intersection of 4th and Cedar Streets—a former church and funeral home!  But the work of the church went far beyond the walls of a building. One of Calvary’s early commitments was to team up with missionaries all over the world to share the gospel with people of other cultures.

Forty years ago the congregation took a leap of faith over a barrier and purchased six acres outside of town—actually “too far out” in the judgment of some. No one would drive that far. People made sacrifices and signed personal notes to help build a new church home—at 2900 Mulberry. In 1975 Calvary built a gym to accommodate an expanded children’s ministry. Ten years later the office area was constructed and in 1994 the major wing to the west was completed.

Our purpose is connecting people with God. Everyone is on a journey—usually in a variety of directions—which generally lead to nowhere. So our job is to meet them on their journey, demonstrate God’s love to them, and tell them that Jesus gave His life so that they might have life—real life. And join us on the journey to heaven.

Here at Calvary people are celebrating in worship together, we are participating in community, we are getting out of the bleachers and onto the playing field, and we are helping others in that same process—at home and with other cultures. All the while growing in our full commitment to the cause of Christ.

Growth is not just numbers. But by 2002, increasing numbers certainly affected available space on Mulberry. Our weekend worship attendance had increased by an average of 10% for each of the previous seven years. Our children’s and adult ministries were out of room. We used the parking lots of neighbors and on street parking extended a couple of blocks in either direction.

God led us to relocate once again. In 2003, we purchased the Hilltop Plaza—22 acres at the intersection of US highway 61 and Iowa Highway 38. We retrofit the former Shopko building at the west end for Worship and Children’s Ministry plus a portion of the old Econofoods building at the east end for Student Ministries.