Things Come Full Circle for Calvary Chapel Church

Calvary Chapel, one of the nation's largest churches, began in 1965 when Pastor Chuck Smith moved from Corona to Costa Mesa, California. Smith brought with him only 25 parishoners. Now some 42 years later, Smith's church has some 2,500 branches world-wide. There are some 12,000 members in Calvary Chapel's congregation.

Pastor and founder of Calvary Chapel, Chuck Smith was born on June 25, 1927 in Ventura, California. He has written many well known books including many of the 'Second Coming of Christ.' He currently does a daily radio program nation-wide called, "The Word for Today."

In the late 60's and the early 70's the church made welcome anyone who wanted to hear the 'Word' of God. Long haired hippies in tattered jeans and girls in long dresses who were frowned upon in most other religious venues were made to feel at home. When the different kinds of people came to church at Chuck Smith's church they brought along their music too. In the relaxed atmosphere of Calvary Chapel, rock and roll blaired out 'praises to God,' along- side screeching guitar riffs, drums and basic gospel hymns. The 70's style music became an instant hit with the parishoners and just about anyone who heard them. Famous Christian groups such as "Love Song' and other singers such as Crystal Lewis and the now famous 'Praise Band', became well known and loved. Christian music history grew with the church and the times.

For more than two years in the early 70's a huge green tent stood on South Fairview Street in Santa Ana, California just on the border of Costa Mesa when a new sanctuary was constructed. Calvary was growing. In 1974 the new 2000 person Sanctuary opened. As attendance increased a new 700 seat Fellowship Hall was added, complete with closed-circoit T.V. Through the years some 2,500 affiliated Calvary Chapels were recognized worldwide.

More changes were on the horizon for Calvary Chapel. In 1995 Calvary Sattelite Network launched it's program providing Christian programming world-wide. There are now more than 400 radio stations nationwide.

Growth continued and Calvary kept growing and in 2007 services once again returned to it's roots and were held in a huge, white, circus-like tent, now complete with arch shaped windows. "There is much more technology now," claims one of the 70's parishoners. Pulsing lights and loud speakers are new additons to the memories of the old-timers, but the atmosphere and the emotion is still the same.

Derek Feuerhelm with his arms and neck covered in tatoos along with pierced lips and ears said, "That is why I came to Calvary. Someone like me wouldn't be accepted most anywhere else." Looking around the tent, at the various attendees, one can see a broad spectrum of people. Men in dress shirts complete with tie sit next to young women in shorts and sandals, all look comfortable.

"Some people driving by the tent, stop by to see what is happening and stay to listen to the timeless message", claims Jim Pittman 21 who sings in a Calvary band.

The new sanctuary will open in mid-April. There will be seating for 2,150 people in stadium seating instead of pews. Religious leaders, Greg Laurie and Franklin Graham are planning to speak during the "Big Tent Revival."