Calvary Baptist Church construction Complete

From lead contributor James Clark

Hallelujah! Three years of construction are complete, and Calvary Baptist Church is ready to celebrate this weekend.

The church, located at 610 Myers Lane, is holding an open house festival this Saturday, July 4, from 3 to 6 pm. There will be a bounce house, cotton candy, snow cones, and more.

On Sunday, July 5, the church will have its grand opening ribbon cutting at 10:30 am. Wilma Fults, the church’s oldest member, will have the honor of cutting the ribbon.

The church, while on Myers Lane, is clearly visible from the bypass near its intersection with Shelbyville Road.

“Some people have been driving by and watching this happen for the past three years so they might want to know what it looks like inside,” said pastor Tom Fittis. “Everyone is welcome to come see our church. We’re doing it on the weekend of America’s 250th birthday so it will be easy to remember when we officially opened.”

The church has regular Sunday attendance of around 100. The new auditorium is capable of seating 200.

Calvary Baptist Church got its start on West End Ave in 1972. John Clontz founded the church and served as its pastor for 40 years.

“He was still cutting the grass at 92,” said Fittis.

There have been only two pastors. Fittis took over in 2012 and has served ever since.

Calvary Baptist bought the Myers Lane property from Cornerstone in 2017.

The new church building has a cozy, wood look that fills the auditorium and adjacent classrooms. There’s a fellowship hall with full kitchen, a nursery, and they are working on a library.There’s an adult choir and children’s choir.

An impressive cross made of American black walnut hangs over the baptistry. Church member Herschel King found the wood in an old barn and says it’s well over 100 years old.

King, a cabinet maker, is one of the many church members who has helped with construction.

For more information about this weekend’s celebration at Calvary Baptist Church, call (931) 815-3919.