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| Calvary Baptist Tabernacle (later changed to
Calvary Baptist Church) had its beginning in the vision of a group of people
in southeast Compton who observed hundreds of children, youths, and parents
without any Sunday School or church ties. Calvary began meeting in homes,
and after some months, a tent was purchased in 1941 which included about
20 benches and other incidental equipment. The tent was purchased on "faith"
at a cost of $100.00, payable in monthly increments of $20.00. Lots on
the northwest corners of Olive (which later became Alondra Blvd.) and Ward
(the present location) were rented at this time with the option to buy.
The first Sunday school and morning worship was held in the tent August 10, 1942, with Sunday school attendance numbering 67. Five dollars a week was paid to Reverend Robert Carpenter, Calvary's first pastor, who was a full-time student at the Bible Institute of Los Angeles (now known as Biola University). To assist the local group, Dr. Carl Sweazy's church, Calvary Baptist Tabernacle of Los Angeles, took the work under their wing and assisted with both, personnel and financial support. A former Japanese theater building was purchased and relocated in March 1943. The Terminal Island building was quickly remodeled into the present structure we now occupy at 1517 East Alondra Boulevard, and dedicated on February 6, 1944. The purchase price of the Japanese theater in 1943 was $1,300.00 and cost $3,500.00 to move to this location. Our then pastor, Reverend H. E. Ziemer, left after a short time and in 1945 Dr. G. Sherman Lemmon was called as pastor. In 1948, our church became self-supporting. Under the direction of Pastor Lemmon and the Deacons, the annex to the church was built. In 1950, Dr. Lemmon felt the call of God to leave and venture into a new field. The Lord then sent Reverend Herbert A. Faraar, Jr., to be the pastor. Under his ministry the East Sunday School addition was started. The East addition was finished under the pastorate of Reverend Thurmon Fuller, who served until 1959. Reverend Nathaniel Mitchell, a missionary from Brazil, served as interim pastor, until the calling of Reverend Gene Gaffner who served from 1960-1963. In 1963, Reverend Norman Thompson was called as our pastor. Under his ministry the West Education Building, kitchen, and dining hall were completed. At the end of Reverend Thompson's service to our church, Reverend John Williams was called and served as pastor until 1972. Reverend Jimmie White then led Calvary until May 1980. Reverend Stovall served as interim for one month,
after which Dr. Alonzo Levert was called as interim pastor and served until
August 1981. In August 1981, Reverend Frank Mapps, Jr. was called and ordained
as pastor and served until his home going March 2, 1986. Once again, Dr.
Alonzo Levert was I called upon to serve as interim pastor until the calling
of Reverend Larry DeJarnette in October 1986. on May 10, 1992, our current
pastor, Dr. Robert C. Smith came to Calvary Baptist Church and installed
as pastor in January 1993. God has graced Calvary with a rich heritage
of reaching out to the Compton community. 1997 celebrates the 55th Anniversary
of Calvary. 'The Legacy is still alive at 55; 55 years of reconciling men
to God and to each other."
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