Visiting Calvary

Calvary is such an apt name for it. For it is there that you indeed will be put in touch with Calvary; it is there that hundreds have had their first encounter with the Christ who died and now lives. You may be a bit surprised to see the little white church located on the side of Highway 178, out in the country. It’s been there since the 1940’s, and has been a beacon in the community since its beginning. When it first started, it was a little non-descript flat brick building of one room that would seat about 100 people. There were no rooms for special groups or classes. When the curtains were drawn, which separated the room into sections, everybody could hear what everybody else was saying; if one speaker became too vocal, the others had to listen to him too. On Sunday morning, after all the classes were finished, everybody gathered together for prayer and singing and worship. And after church the folks stood around and talked, because their Sunday dinner was already prepared at home. They were in no hurry to beat everybody else to the restaurant! Lasting friendships were made on Sunday morning - friendships that are still intact today.


Summers were spent getting ready for, teaching, and attending vacation Bible school. There were lessons about Jesus and getting to know Him; games and contests were played until late in the afternoon or evening. There were always trays of cookies and a brand-new tin tub full of lemonade, made with real lemons! The week terminated with “graduation” and a church-wide picnic with everything imaginable to eat!

In the fall, preparation began for the Christmas program. Little children and adults dressed up in bathrobes and blankets depicting Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, and the wise men. Everybody was on his best behavior and dressed in Christmas outfits. Some of the spoken parts were forgotten; some were expressed with passion and skill. The music may have been on tune or off, but it was the celebration of Christ’s birthday that was uppermost in the minds of the people. All of the children got a present and some fruit. Everybody left with an uplifted spirit and joy in their heart.

The little church grew in size and number, while not changing its aim and purpose. Today the new building has an ample sanctuary, lots of rooms for teaching, modern restrooms, and even an elevator. It still has vacation Bible schools and Christmas programs and outreach programs to witness to the home-bound, elderly, and sick. Their mission program will challenge that many bigger churches. The gospel is still preached; the minister broadcasts his sermon over a local radio station. The people still love the Lord; and the majority of them practice what they preach!