THROUGH THE YEARS WITH CALVARY (A Brief History)
- Sunday School meetings were held at Santiam Central Schoolhouse (near the intersection of Lickskillet Road and Kamph Drive) since 1927, associated with American Sunday School Union (now American Missionary Fellowship).
- A group of people from the Sunday School meetings asked to use the Farmers’ Union Hall (junction of Highways 20 and 226) for church services and formed the Santiam Central Gospel Church on October 17, 1957 with founding pastor Stan Baldwin. Charter members were Lloyd and Eleanor Austin, Stan and Marge Baldwin, Alfred Bose, Harry Bose, Webber Doughton, Jr., Hazel Sorenson, Donna Porter, Lloyd and Norma Porter, Patti Porter, Marilyn Wilkinson (now Lambert) and Ted and Carol Wilkinson.
- The church changed its name to Calvary Community Church on February 16, 1958.
- Construction began on two acres of land donated by Alfred and Harry Bose at its present site on Knox Butte Road in the spring of 1959. The first service was held August 16, 1959 in the new building, what is now a portion of the present sanctuary.
- Stan Baldwin served from 1957 to 1963.
- During the 1960s, an overflow room next to the sanctuary was added. An active bus ministry to the Draperville area helped to increase Sunday School attendance. One hundred was a common total for Sunday School during that time frame. Some classes were held in the “annex” (outbuilding) and at Catherine Bose’s home.
- Calvary affiliated with Village Missions which supplied ministers to participating churches. Pastor Bob Rush (now deceased) was the first Village Missions pastor, serving 1963-69.
- In 1967 the educational wing, entrance and portico were built. Funds were earned by church families working together to grow green beans, strawberries and cucumber seed for local canneries. People of the church also provided loans without interest.
- Pastor James Post served 1969-71.
- Pastor Francis Klontz served 1971-77. The parsonage was built during this time as well as a remodel to the front of the sanctuary, new pews, new piano and new organ. Several used pianos were acquired and used for each of the Sunday School departments.
- Pastor Rol Burg (now deceased) served 1977-80. A steeple was added, thanks to the generosity of church member Selmer Hoiseth. Calvary ended its affiliation with Village Missions, thus allowing the church to vote on succeeding pastors.
- Pastor Martin Haase served from 1981-2007. The activity center and improvements to the parking lot and parsonage were added. AWANA began to meet at Calvary in 1981 with Jane Haase as commander and continues through the present. Calvary held a 40th anniversary celebration August 8-9, 1998, “Celebrating God’s Faithfulness.” New kitchen, restrooms and and second story youth rooms were also added.
- Pastor Gary Taylor served from 2007-2016. He presented his doctoral dissertation, “The Role of Spiritual Disciplines in the Development and Act of Leadership,” in April 2011 at the church. During this time Calvary became affiliated with Independent Fundamental Churches of America (IFCA) and adopted a new Church Constitution which instituted leadership by Elders. A sanctuary remodel (“Phase I”) was completed in February 2014.
- Pastor Bill Conn began serving in June of 2017. Bill and Cindy are originally from Amarillo, Texas where Bill served as Worship Pastor at Grace Church for 14 years. They moved to Oregon in 2000 where Bill pastored Scio Baptist Church for nearly 10 years.