1975

Mr. Wally Sorensen suggested the idea of a new church. A meeting was held at Dale Smith's home on Sunday evening, January 5th, with Wally and Verna Sorensen, Denny and Elvie Anderson and family, and Lloyd and JoAnn Swedeen in attendance with the Smith's. It was at this meeting that the small group voted to start a new church and to call Pastor Bill Mars as their first pastor.

The name of Calvary Bible Church was selected. (This would be changed in October of 1978 to Calvary Baptist Church.) The original membership of the church was about 15.

The first service of the church was held on Sunday, January 19, at 10:30 AM in the theater Auditorium of the Cambridge Senior High School with 45 in attendance. Things were not easy on that first morning. It was bitterly cold, about 15 degrees below zero. Pastor Bill's car refused to start and he had to walk from his apartment just east of the railroad tracks on 95 to the Senior High School.

The first Prayer meeting was held on Wednesday, January 22, and Sunday school began on February 16. There were 41 in the first Sunday school. The church continued meeting in the Senior High or the Junior High music auditorium through July 6.

From July 13~September 21, the church met at the Isanti Township Hall just south of Cambridge on Highway 65. (This building was removed  when the Highway bypass was constructed years later.)

Calvary Bible Church then rented the Seventh Day Adventist Church building from September28 to the end of August in 1976. It was at this time that 2 1/2 acres of land was purchased to build a church. The property is located just north of Moon Lake, (Bronberg's Lake) west of Cambridge. An additional 2 1/2 acres was purchased later in the fall of 1981.

1976

On Saturday evening, January 24 a banquet was held at the Arlington Cafe to celebrate the First Anniversary of the church. A film was presented at the High School Auditorium after the banquet. There were 52 at the banquet and about 100 at the flim although an exact count was not possible.

In the spring of 1976, Pastor Bill brought up the idea of starting an ACE Christian School and plans began to develop. The church rented the Old Moody School, just two miles east of Cambridge and just north of Highway 95 to house the activities of the church, which by then included the Calvary Bible Academy. Pastor Bill went to Texas on May 24 for a week's training in the ACE school system. Mr. Rolland Bowler was the first school principal. Jerry Cavanaugh was the first supervisor with JoAnn Swedeen and Charlene Larson the first monitors. 17 students were enrolled for the first year.

1977

Some very bad weather has been encountered during our existence. On January 9, 1977, it was 44 degrees below zero, and yet there were 30 in attendance. On January 16 it was still thirty-six below

zero and there were 38 in attendance.

Pastor Bill Mars' last Sunday with us was on July 31.

The church was without a full-time pastor between July 31,1977 until October 1,1978. Several men filled in as speakers and interim pastors. Each one took his turn preaching. Gene VanAlstine finally agreed to preach for several months and Chuck Paiter served as an interim pastor for a couple of months in February and March of

1978

Pastor Dave Gerhardt was called as pastor in July, and his first official Sunday was October 1.

October - The church name was changed to Calvary Baptist Church.

1979

On April 15 the first Sunrise Service and breakfast was held. There were 31 attendees. This tradition continues to present day.

1980

January 20 was the 5th anniversary celebration dinner, service and film.

1981

January 25 was the 6th anniversary dinner and afternoon service. October 4 was the ground breaking for the new building.

1982

June 22 the basement was dug for the new building. Galen Kauffroth, missionary builder, was in charge. November 7th was the last service in the old Moody school (The Old Moody School was destroyed years later and no longer exists). November 14th was the first service in the new building with 57 in attendance.

December 12, a dedication ceremony was held for the new building. Galen Kauffroth was the speaker. 80 attended and an Open house followed the service.

1985

February 3 was the 10th anniversary dinner and service in afternoon.

1989

July 9 was the dedication of Bowler Field, the academy ballfield.

1995

January 20 was the 2Oth anniversary with a dinner and service in the afternoon.

A new addition was proposed and approved for the church. It would involve a virtually new building being built over and around the existing building with a new auditorium, remodeling the old auditorium into the foyer and entryway.

1996

In fall we celebrated the ground breaking for the new addition.

1997

April 20 we had 103 people in morning service. 1st time over 100.

August 21 the basement was dug for church addition.

1998

June - Contsruction on the walls and roof of the new addition began.

June 15th - 24 trusses and the north and south walls on new addition blew down in a violent windstorm.

June 20 began to rebuild damaged walls.

1999

February 28 we had record Sunday school attendance of 86

April 4 was record Easter Sunrise Service with 87 for the service and 100 for breakfast with the morning service of 122.

November 28 the last service was held in the old building.

December 5 the first service was in the new Sanctuary.

2000

Much of the work on our new addition has been done by volunteers - men, women, and teens. A lot of materials have also been donated. Richard "J.J." Horner was instrumental in the project both in his work and in encouraging others. His funeral was the first held in the new auditorium, and the men have missed his presence greatly. After a break, they were back to work remodeling the original building and finishing the small addition to the east.

TODAY

Through it all we are faithfully shepherded by Pastor Gerhardt. He and his family have persevered these many years at Calvary Baptist and must certainly rejoice in seeing Church growth and changed lives through the saving grace of our LORD JESUS CHRIST.