Our History

A large group of people, including men, women, and children, standing in front of a historic house with ornate windows and architectural details. There are vintage cars parked in front of the group, and trees surrounding the scene. The photo has a sepia tone, indicating it is an old photograph.

Prior to Calvary calling this building home, it was Epworth United Methodist church. This photo is from September 1922. This particular Sunday was a day when churches throughout Elgin celebrated “Automobile Days.” It was something of an evangelistic endeavor, as those who owned cars were encouraged to fill them with those that did not.  In the foreground, you will notice the brick streets, and the rails for the trolley, as well as the electrical wires for powering the trolley.

Timeline

1966 - Calvary Baptist Church began as the East Side Chapel in Elgin. First fellowship of the East Side Baptist Chapel was held in the home of Rev. and Mrs. Ralph Mayes. Our first worship service was held at Larsen Junior High on June 19, 1966. 43 were present. Ralph Mayes was called as our first pastor.

A black and white portrait of a woman with glasses, dressed in a suit and tie, with her hair pulled back.

1967 - East Side Baptist Chapel changed their name to Calvary in remembrance of the source of our salvation. Constitution service was held at First Christian Church on 378 Division Street. There were 53 charter members. On June 4, 1967 we held our first service in our newly purchased building at 378 Division Street.

A black and white photograph of a man walking on a sidewalk in front of a large, historic church building. The church has a classical architectural style with tall windows, a decorative pediment, and a central entrance. A sign on the right side of the image reads 'WELCOME TO FIRST CHURCH'. The man appears to be smiling and holding papers or books in his hands.

1970 - Jerry Brown became our second pastor.

Black and white photo of a smiling man in a suit and tie, with neatly styled hair.

1971 - Ernest Gouge became our third pastor.

A black and white halftone portrait of a woman smiling, with her hair pulled back and wearing a necklace and earrings.

1972 - We purchased a new building at 270 East Chicago Street. Our first service was held on September 3, 1972. Attendance was 172.

Black and white photo of a historic church with tall steeples, pointed arch windows, and intricate gothic architectural details. The photo appears aged and damaged with torn edges and missing sections.

1976 - Virgil Downen became our fourth pastor.

An elderly man with white hair and beard wearing sunglasses, smiling outdoors.

1978 - Tim Wills became the fifth pastor of Calvary and served for 25 years retiring in 2003. 

1979 - We sold our building on East Chicago Street and began meeting at the old Elgin High School.

The exterior of a brick high school building with multiple windows, a stone entrance with three arched doorways, stairs leading up, and a sign that reads "FUGH HIGH SCHOOL."

1980 - We purchased our building at 551 Arlington Avenue and moved into the building in September.

Black and white photo of a large, house with a steeply pitched roof, multiple windows, and decorative wood trusses; cars parked in front.

1990 - We held a note burning service for the church building being paid in full.

1994 - Ken Haak was hired as an Associate Pastor Intern.

2003 - Pastor Tim Wills retired and Phillip Kramer served as an Interim Pastor.

2004 - Eric Reed served as Interim Pastor.

2005 - Calvary called Craig Furtick as our sixth pastor. After much prayer and consideration of God’s direction for his life and ministry, Craig resigned in March 2008. 

2009 - Scott Ballance began serving as Interim Pastor in January 2009. He is a long standing member of Calvary Baptist Church. 

2010 - Calvary called Pastor Scott Ballance to be their seventh pastor on October 17. He served bi-vocationally.

2013 - Calvary called Noah Adams to be the Associate Pastor and Youth Pastor after 3 years of volunteer leadership. 

2017 - Pastors Scott and Noah each took on new roles. Pastor Scott served as Minister of Pastoral Care while Pastor Noah became Calvary’s eighth pastor.

2021 - In June of 2021, Pastor Noah received a call to pastor a church in Colorado. From June 2021 til October 2021 Pastor Scott served as Interim Pastor while the pastor search committee sought the Lord’s guidance on Calvary’s next pastor.

2021 - On October 24, Calvary called Tony Doppke to be their ninth pastor. Pastor Scott began serving as Associate Pastor.

2024 - On May 5, 2024 the congregation of Calvary adopted a new church constitution, establishing an elder-led, deacon-served, and congregationally-governed church structure. This change aligns with the model we see in Scripture and historic Baptist tradition.

2025 - On February 23, 2025 the congregation of Calvary voted in men to serve as elders, establishing a plurality of elders for the first time in the history of our church.