| Read the history of Calvary Temple and how God has grown the ministry through His church to reach Contra Costa county and beyond. |
Concord was a small, rural town when, in 1931, a store-front mission work was started by Frank Stone, a minister who had started other such missions in Contra Costa and Alameda counties.
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That first mission was opened on Concord Avenue, but the congregation grew and soon purchased the Concord Adobe, which today is among the city's historical and preserved landmarks. But, the success of Reverend Stone's ministry and that of his grandson and successor, Thornton Gapen, led the congregation to purchase land and build a new church, which was completed in 1945.
At this time, the mission formally adopted the name "Calvary Temple" and it also became affiliated with the Assemblies of God. It should be noted that the Galindo street church was built entirely of volunteer labor, with the chief laborer being Reverend Gapen, who molded the concrete blocks of which the building was constructed.
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Reverend Gapen left in 1948 and was followed by pastor Emil Naef from 1948 to 1951, then Reverend Work, who pastored Calvary Temple until 1959. By the time that Pastor Ford took the helm in 1959, the church was once again growing beyond the limits of the Galindo Street facility. It was then that the property at 3950 Clayton Road, was purchased and, once again, an almost all volunteer labor force constructed the first of several phases of the "new" Calvary Temple. The new facility was dedicated June 1, 1961.
During this period, the congregation continued supporting missions and missionaries. This effort would become one of the key characteristics of our church and a lasting heritage--striving to reach the world for Christ with all available resources.
Pastor Raymond Murray served between 1963 and 1969, followed by Ed Cole, who remained until 1974. It was during Pastor Cole's tenure that a second building phase was completed, which consisted of the Fireside Room, additional Sunday School classes and some classrooms for Christian Life School, which was also begun under Pastor Cole. |
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1974 saw the arrival of Don Spradling, who served as pastor until 1986. During Pastor Spradling's time at Calvary Temple, the needs of the continually growing congregation resulted in the purchase of neighboring residential properties for the purpose of expansion.
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Harley Allen came to Calvary Temple in 1986, to serve as it's ninth full-time pastor. Since Pastor Allen's arrival, Calvary Temple has been blessed with phenomenal growth, especially in light of significant sociological changes in Contra Costa county. Growing affluence, liberalized political and cultural influences and other social changes in our county have made church growth almost unheard of. However, God continued to prosper and bless the ministry of Calvary Temple. Additional facility improvements included increased parking capacity, a Youth Center and new staff offices.
The most significant improvements were realized not just in buildings and land but in changed lives and the growth of our congregation. New ministries began with additional staff and volunteers to direct them.
Thousands of people were reached with the gospel through missions giving of over $100,000 per year and with our own youth mission teams traveling and ministering to people in India, Mexico, and Romania.
With attendance growing from 285 to 1,000, every effort was made to make the Clayton Road site serve the needs of this expanding ministry and congregation. However, as the congregation continued to grow, the facilities could not effectively house the people or the ministries. The deacon board and Pastor Allen came to the conclusion in 1990 that no further growth was feasible at the Clayton Road location and relocating the church became a top priority.
Pastor Allen pursued his vision of relocating the congregation and, working with the Deacon Board, the Evora Road land was purchased and detailed plans and resources were put together to make the move a reality. |
1991 marked the beginning of a concerted effort to build a multi-million dollar facility and relocate a fast growing congregation.
Through much prayer, planning, sacrificial giving, and fund raising, the many requirements of such a large project began to come together.
With God helping us overcome many obstacles, both large and small, a brand new 44,000 square foot building atop 35 acres of land overlooking the Delta and Highway 4 was constructed. The building construction and property development took 15 months to complete and involved the task of literally "moving mountains."
The new facility was occupied with the first service conducted in October 1998. With plenty of seating and parking, Sunday morning attendance reached 1,400 within a few weeks. Our new home was providing new opportunities for more people to worship and grow in their faith. |
The new faclities allowed us to continue expanding our ministries and vision.
The ministries and outreach have grown and developed with hundreds of young people participating each week in youth programs and support of missions reaching over $500,000 per year. Sunday morning attendance grew to over 2,000 attending three services. People of all ages and walks of life came to Christ through the many ministries being directed by both pastoral staff and lay people.
Pastor Harley and Kaye Allen retired from pastoral ministry on August 26, 2001. Pastor Allen served as the Senior Pastor of Calvary Temple for 15 years. Under his leadership the church experienced its greatest growth and expanded its reach into the community and the world.
After much prayer and pastoral search, Fred Franks was selected to replace Harley Allen. Pastor Fred, his wife Liz, and their two children Luke and Paige, joined Calvary Temple on September 16, 2001.
Our history is in the making right now as we continue and carry on our heritage of being a light and life-changing presence to people here in Contra Costa County and around the world. |
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