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AND GIVE HIM THE GLORY GREAT THINGS HE HATH DONE
In 1964, Calvary recognized the pressing need for more space for Sunday School rooms; and in 1965 under the leadership of Mr. Fred Reece, plans were ready for a two-story educational building. There was some difficulty in obtaining a loan of $110,000.00 for the building because the membership at that time was only 385. After a group of church members signed an agreement to guarantee repayment, the loan was obtained; the contract was given to John S. Clark Company, and construction began. In 1966, the Sunday School rooms, a fellowship hall, and a kitchen were ready for use. Since then the Sunday School rooms have been redone from time to time, and in 1988, the fellowship hall was changed to provide three additional classrooms and a small conference room.
Meanwhile, Calvary Church attendance and membership were on the march. By 1975, the congregation was outgrowing the capacity of the sanctuary. Several options were considered as a solution to the situation, and the final decision was to enlarge the balcony, adding seating capacity for 100 to 125 people. This was done in 1976 at a total cost of $21,754.82.
And still the people came. In 1978, a Long-Range Planning Committee was appointed: Norris Hodge, chairman, Lenora Frye, Nan Hull, Henderson Johnson, Marvin Beasley, Norris Jarrell, Vera Forrest, Ted Watson, Zeo Stone, Mildred Overby, Lillian Hiatt, Raymond Riggs, and Morris Davis. This committee was charged with the task of planning for the next five to ten years. When they made their report, it included a "vision of a new worship center and additional educational space."
In order to make this dream a reality, the Together We Build program was launched in April of 1981. This program emphasized "Equal Sacrifice, Not Equal Gifts."
In 1983, the Building Committee (Harold Stone, chairman; Jerry Eller, Jo Hodge, Nan Hull, Gray Shelton, and Pastor Alfred Ayscue) began definite plans for a new building, and construction began in May, 1984. Sunday, May 5, 1985, the first worship services in the new sanctuary were held; the dedication service was conducted on June 2, 1985. The new sanctuary will seat 615 people. There is an audio-visual booth in the balcony; Sunday School rooms, a fellowship hall and kitchen are located in the basement. The work was completed at a cost of $600,000.00.
Calvary has owned one additional facility, a parsonage to house the pastor. This home was completed in 1954. In 1969, while Mr. Floyd Enzor was occupying the house, it was remodeled. In 1973, further renovations were made and air conditioning was added. In 1980, Mr. Ayscue elected to move out of the parsonage into a home of his own; in lieu of housing, he would receive a monthly allowance. Mr. Charlie Harrell, Minister of Education and Youth, occupied the parsonage from December 20, 1980 until September, 1982. In November of that year, discussion began concerning selling the parsonage and moving it to a new location in order to make room for a new sanctuary. After extensive investigation and discussion, the parsonage was sold to Norris Jarrell in May of 1983 and moved to its present location on Bluemont Road.
The history of Calvary Baptist Church does not stop here. This material on these pages comes from the written history compiled for the 75th anniversary of the church. Additional historical information will be added to these pages as it becomes available.
