Calvary Baptist Church
Calvary began as a like-minded group of families who wanted an American Baptist fellowship in the Allentown area. American Baptist Churches are missional congregations that nurture devoted disciples of Jesus Christ who live their lives in mission and ministry for the healing of the world through the love of God.PA.
"For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
Matthew 18:20
ABOUT US
THE TRINITY
We believe in one Loving God manifested as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This one, true God is most clearly revealed to us in the incarnate Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. We affirm the Holy Spirit as God’s guiding and comforting presence with us.
THE BIBLE
We believe the Bible is the divinely inspired Word of God and trustworthy for faith and practice. It is to be interpreted responsibly under the guidance of the Holy Spirit within the community of faith.
THE PRIESTHOOD OF BELIEVERS
We believe every Christian has the privilege to communicate directly with God through Christ without the aid of any other intermediary.
BELIEVER’S BAPTISM
We believe baptism by immersion best symbolizes the personal commitment one makes to follow Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and join the community of faith.
THE LORD’S SUPPER
We commemorate the death of Jesus Christ for our sins in celebrating the Lord’s Supper. As we partake of the bread and cup we also affirm the presence of the Living Christ who still offers His grace and the gift of salvation to all who believe He died and rose for them.
THE LOCAL CONGREGATION
We believe in the autonomy of the local congregation within its own structure while at the same time supporting the American Baptist regional, denominational life and mission.
THE CHURCH
We believe the Church is the Body of Christ in the world, called to reach others with the love and compassion of Jesus Christ and to share the Whole Gospel with the whole world, making disciples of all nations.
THE LAITY OF THE CHURCH
We believe that all church members are called to support the church’s ministries through the sharing of their spiritual gifts, talents, service, love, prayer, and stewardship.
THE PASTOR
We believe the role of the pastor is to preach, teach, guide, lead, counsel, offer support and encouragement, help win others to Jesus Christ, and set an example for Christian conduct.
THE ASSOCIATIONAL PRINCIPLE
We believe in affirming the ministry of the whole people of God by working together “in association” and bringing the free church tradition to cooperative and ecumenical Christianity.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
OUR VALUES
DIVERSITY
Calvary's family contains people of many different ethnicities and life experiences. We value the contribution we all can bring to our worship and service as we grow together.
CARE
Calvary is a family, and families care for each other.
MISSION
As an American Baptist fellowship, we support the work of missions locally and globally.
INSPIRATION
Through music and prose, we strive to inspire everyone to seek a closer relationship with Christ
OUR HISTORY
Our church began in the winter of 1952 when 21 people met and pledged their time and talent toward creating an American Baptist Fellowship in the Allentown area. In December, 1952, a rapidly growing fellowship began holding Sunday School and church services in the local Masonic Temple. By November, 1953, the name Calvary Baptist Church was adopted, and forty-eight members established the initial original membership. Calvary's state charter was signed on March 1", 1954 establishing Calvary Baptist Church as a legal, nonprofit corporation in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
In the fall of 1954, the congregation moved to a newly purchased small former Synagogue at 31 South 13th Street in Allentown. At that location, the church continued to worship and grow rapidly as a congregation. In 1961, because of burgeoning membership and space requirements, the church purchased land for our present site. After a successful capital funds campaign, the church hired an architectural firm to design plans for a new building. In 1965 a new church building was erected and the congregation moved from its South 13th Street building to our present facilities in 1966.
