Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church

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Celebrating the First 50 Years
1954 – 2004

 

 

In 1952, the Board of American Missions of the Augusta Synod requested a survey of Morro Bay as a possible site for a Lutheran Church. Based on the results of that survey, on March 9, 1953, Rev. J. Wm. Raymond was called as Calvary's first pastor.

A parsonage was purchased at 480 Bernardo St. for $13,500. The first worship service was held on July 5th, 1953 in the Justice Court Building. The judge's desk was used as the altar. Sunday School classes were also held there. Other meetings were held in the Parsonage until the Church was built.  Pastor Raymond along with Mrs. Esther Krause called on every home in the area looking for new members.

On Palm Sunday, April 11, 1954, the congregation was officially organized with 33 adults and 21 children. Soon property was purchased for a church for $7,500.  Groundbreaking was held April 5, 1955 and soon the volunteers began working. After putting in close to 3000 hours of volunteer labor the new church was completed at a cost of $16,500. The first worship service was held in the new sanctuary December 18th, 1955.

Current Ministries

Today Calvary Lutheran Church is involved in a number of ministries and programs in the area.

·        2 Sunday Worship Services

·        Sunday School

·        Vacation Bible School

·        3 Weekly Bible Studies

·        Ecumenical Worship Services

·        Local Hunger Food Collection

·        Salvation Army Food Bank

·        Christmas Gifts For The Needy

·        Support Compassion Children in Uganda And Rwanda

·        Overeaters Anonymous

·        Alcoholics Anonymous

·        Bear Hug Quilting – Charity Quilts

·        Mission Support For Iglesia Luterana Santa Cruz In Santa Maria (A Hispanic Mission Congregation)

Partnership With Other Lutheran Congregations

·        Central Coast Conference - 10 Congregations

·        Southwest California Synod - 140 Congregations

·        Evangelical Lutheran Church in America - 10,721 Congregations

Significant Dates 

 July 5 1953          First Worship Service at Justice Court

April 11, 1954      Calvary formally organized.

January 22, 1955  Sanctuary Dedicated

May 10, 1976      Upper Property sold to pay debt and repair the building rather than close.

May 11, 1977     Church Pews given by Carl and Elizabeth Hanson.

1978                    Newsletter began

1979                    Parsonage converted to Office and Sunday School

1981                   Grand Piano given by Barde Family

December 1981  Stenger Pipe Organ Purchased and Sanctuary Remodeled

Jan 1984             Second Worship Service added at 8:15

1984                    Name Tags used for the first time.

1986                    Nursery Attendant hired

July 1987             Completion of Fellowship Hall

1990                    Parking Lot completed

1994                    Loretta Johnson Estate Received and all debts paid off.

May 2, 1998        Dedication of 495 Monterey as office and meeting room

Fall 1998             Conversion old office to Education Building

1999                    Retaining Wall, Steps and New Sign

2004                    Ramp added to Education Building


Naming the church

The name of the new congregation was chosen based on the following:

“The word Morro is a Spanish word meaning a round skull-shaped object.  Likewise, Calvary refers to the skull-shaped hill on which Jesus was crucified.”

Pastors of Calvary

Rev. J. Wm. Raymond -1953-1960

Rev. J. Edwin Erickson -1960-1964

Rev. Sidney Bennett - 1964-1967

Dr. Frederick Smith - (Interim) - 1967

Rev. Robert Erickson - 1967-1970

Rev. Carl Stark - 1970-1973

Rev. Carl Jacobi - 1973-1977

Dr. Robert Orling - (Interim) - 1977-1978

Rev. Ernest Lineberger - 1978-1980

Rev. Lance Poldberg - 1980-1989

Rev. Ernest Lineberger - (Interim) - 1989

Rev. James Berg - 1990 to present
Original Architect’s Drawing - Circa 1953
50th Anniversary Celebration April 25, 2004

 

8:45 Contemporary Worship Celebration and Sunday School - Bishop Dean Nelson Preaching

9:45 – 10:30 Fellowship Time

10:30 Traditional Worship Celebration

Bishop Dean Nelson Preaching

12:00 Faith Luncheon

1:30 Afternoon Program

Gathering Music

Special Greeting from Guest

Hymn   “In the Cross of Christ”       No. 104

History Presentation

Hymn   “Lead On, O King Eternal”   No 495

Skit – “A Look to the Future”

Special Presentations

2:30  Dessert 

We would like to thank all of you for joining us for our Golden Anniversary and offer a special word of appreciation to those of you who put forth an extra special effort in assisting in this celebration.