ABOUT CALVARY MISSIONARY BAPTIST
Our Church's History
The thought of organizing a church had its beginning in the hearts and minds of a group of Baptists living in Bolivar, MO, with other rural churches near the area. For a long period of time this group met together in cottage prayer where they received many Spiritual Blessings together. While attending these services they began to feel the need to of having another Baptist Church in Bolivar, where repentance would be preached and souls could be saved.
At the time, they found in the City of Bolivar thirteen hundred people of Baptist Faith or Baptist preference, and of this number only four hundred-eighty held church membership, leaving a total of eight hundred -twenty unlisted possibilities. With a vision of this field, the desire for a church grew stronger and stronger and the church movement was launched.
The Church was named Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, organized by thirteen charter members. By the end of 1940 the church membership was eighty-three. The church lot where the building now stands was purchased March 21st, 1940. The basement was dug March 25th, 1940, and the first wheelbarrow of cement was poured, May 30th, 1940 with a bible placed in the northeast corner of the building. The first service that was held on the church ground was June 25th, 1940 where seven people joined the church during the service. The first Sunday School was held on the lawn, June 30th, 1940. The frame work of the building was soon finished and services were held inside, using boards and nail kegs for seats. The building was soon completed and the debt was paid in three and one fourth years. The church was grateful for sister churches and friends that had helped them in many ways.
In 1943, the membership was one hundred fifty-eight and dedication services were held on July 25th. This was an all-day service beginning with Sunday School at 10:00am and preaching at 11:00am. A basket dinner and fellowship followed at noon. The services resumed in the afternoon with song service, a devotional, and dedication sermon and prayer. After the service, the cornerstone was laid in its place with a church history situated behind it. Scripture was read and talks were given concerning laying the cornerstone. The burning of the bonds was performed by the ministers and deacons of the church with a large crowd witnessing the scene. It was a blessed day for the Church as they were free from debt and the house was dedicated to God.
The growth of the Church has been reflected in changes to the building through the years.
1961 - The first major addition was made to the front of the building and consisted of four Sunday school rooms, two in the basement and two above which added seating to the sanctuary.
1963 - The first addition was paid for and the burning of the note was witnessed in front of the church building on the first Sunday in November. The Church established a building fund with the first Sunday plate offering being designated to that fund.
1965 - The front part of the church sanctuary and aisles were carpeted.
1966 - The building was air conditioned. The membership had grown to three hundred thirty-five.
1967 - The lot adjoining the Church property on the west was purchased.
1970 - The Church basement was carpeted.
1971 - The lot adjoining the Church property on the west was paid off and the note burned in front of the Church building.
1972 - This lot was developed into a parking lot. An addition was built on the south side of the building consisting of four more Sunday School rooms. Ramps and sidewalks were added outside the building.
1974 - New seats were purchased for the four upstairs Sunday School rooms and the choir loft. An electric organ was purchased.
1976 - The Church purchased a house and lot across the street east of the Church building.
1977 - This house was removed and the lot was graded and graveled for parking.
1978 - This lot was paid off and the adjoining lot on the east was purchased to supply more parking when the need should arise. A new piano and organ were purchased.
1980 - The walls of the sanctuary received a new coat of paint and new venetian blinds were installed in the windows.
1981 - New seats and wall to wall carpeting were installed in the sanctuary. Some changed were made in the pulpit, extending the podium approximately 18 inches closer to the congregation. A new podium and communion table were added.
1982 - An inheritance of $11,758.16 left by a sister of the Church prompted a major change to the building. The old chimney which extended through the sanctuary was removed and an electric furnace replaced the original oil furnace. Two Sunday School rooms were added to the north side of the sanctuary and a completely furnished kitchen added in the basement. The Church only had to borrow $3,000.00 of the approximately $48,000.00 cost of the addition.
1983 - A telephone was installed in the Church.
1988 - The two lots east of the Church, which had been previously purchased, were blacktopped.
Since then, the Church has made many more installations such as adding a Mens and Womens restroom on the west side connecting to a large fellowship hall addition added to the Church after breaking ground in 2010.
When the Church was organized, it was affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. During the November 7th, 1951 regular church business session, the Church withdrew from this convention to become part of the Tri-County Missionary Baptist Association which was composed of churches that separated from the Southern Baptist Convention due to differences in practices and beliefs. The Church was re-affiliated with the Polk County Missionary Baptist Association at its next annual meeting.
In thinking back over the years, the Church is thankful for God's leadership and His blessings, for the many souls He has saved in this house and for all that have been added to the Church. May the Church strive to keep humble before Him and seek His guidance that the Church may continue to grow and prosper in the name of the Lord.
