From Vision To Reality - 
A History of 
Calvary Baptist Church
by Bro. Russell Shadrix 2002

And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily. Acts 16:5 

    In 1959 two men, Brother Guy Redding and Brother Johnnie Carden, shared a dream. This dream was to establish a church in Bremen, Georgia, founded on the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and based on the inerrant word of God found in the King James Bible. They discussed their dream and sought God's will and guidance in the matter. 
    In the summer of 1961 the two men attended a revival meeting on Highway 78 east of Bremen. Brother Howard Lee led this meeting, which was an old-fashioned tent revival where the Holy Spirit moved among the people. In attendance that night was Brother Jimmy Wright who had recently returned from a trip to Illinois where he had been helping in revival meetings. The moving of the Holy Spirit was evidenced by the fact that Brother Wright stated to Brothers Redding and Carden that what the Bremen area needed was a church filled with this same Spirit of revival. After the meeting Brothers Redding, Carden, Lee and Wright discussed late into the night the possibilities of starting just such a church. Around midnight the men decided to lay out a fleece before God. The next day these men would begin contacting people who had available buildings and see how God would answer their prayers.    

Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 18:19 

    Only one man was contacted that following afternoon. Mr. W.A. Pruitt stated he had two buildings available and the men could use either to hold their meetings. God had answered the prayers of the faithful brothers. They chose a building near Sewell Plant Number 3 and the following Sunday approximately thirty people attended the first service of the East Side Baptist Mission. Under the leadership of Brother Jimmy Wright, God blessed the mission as it continued to grow and serve the people. In late 1961, Brother Wright was called to pastor a church in Illinois. With his leaving, the work of the mission was turned over to Brother Guy Redding, Jr. 

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Matthew 18:20 

    As the mission continued to grow and prosper in God's work, it was realized that the mission should be organized and constituted as a church. Property for the location of a church building was sought and on February 7, 1962 a tract of land at 312 Atlantic Avenue was purchased from Mrs. Virginia Chandler. Services were held in a small house located on the property. It was in this house formerly known as "The Swint Home" and now known as "The Chandler House" that Calvary Baptist Church was organized and constituted on Sunday, March 11, 1962. 
    A council of twenty ordained ministers and deacons of Missionary Baptist Churches with the Reverend Paul Jackson, home missionary for Haralson and Polk Counties, as chairman, was selected for constituting and organizing the church. Elected as secretary of the council was S.J. Wilson. Reverend C.B. Shult, pastor of the Bethel Baptist Church, read the "Articles of Faith" which were immediately adopted. Dr. Grover F. Tyner, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Bremen, read the church covenant, which was adopted as read. Finally, the name "Calvary Baptist Church" was chosen and adopted as the official name for this new church. 
    The church was chartered with twelve charter members: Steve Dearing, Ophelia Dearing, Johnny Dearing, Sheila Dearing, Lillian Long, Rachel Price, Mildred Redding, Rebecca Redding, Lovie Sanders, Edna Sanders, Charles T. Smith and Edna Smith. Two members were received for baptism: Ray Long and Lynn Smith. Two members were received under the watchcare of the church: Guy Redding, Jr. (elected pastor) and Mrs. Jesse Price. Three more members were accepted during the month of March and included as charter members: Johnnie Carden, Adel Carden and Patsy Carden. 

And let these also be first proved: then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 1 Timothy 3:10 

    On April 1, 1962, the first deacons of the newly formed Calvary Baptist church were ordained. These men, ordained at 3:00 p.m. in the Chandler house, were Brother Steve Dearing, Brother Lovie Sanders and Brother Charles T. Smith.

In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord: Ephesians 2:21 

Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 

    As the church family grew, so grew a need for providing space for the education of the people. Realizing the importance of teaching God's word in a Sunday school setting, the members of Calvary dedicated themselves to the construction of an education wing. This structure, adjoining the original church building on the south, was completed in the mid 1970’s.

Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? Knowing that it was the Lord. John 21:12 

Where there is no vision, the people perish... Proverbs 29:18.

    As the membership in God's family grew, the congregation recognized the need to enlarge the church to accommodate the increasing numbers who came to Calvary to hear God's word preached and taught. In the early 90's the sanctuary would be remodeled to provide room for such growth. A few short years later the church would be faced again with the need to be expanded to make room for the many wishing to worship at Calvary. Construction was undertaken in the year 2000, and on October 29, 2000 the new, larger sanctuary was dedicated. 

This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 1 Timothy 3:1 

    The next pastor would be one very familiar with Calvary. Some thirteen years after he and Brother Guy Redding dreamed of having a spirit filled, New Testament church, on October 15, 1972, Brother Johnnie Carden was called to be pastor of that church, now known as Calvary. One of many of the things accomplished under Brother Carden was the construction of the 2 story Educational building which housed 14 Sunday School rooms, a nursery and a library. The addition also allowed for a choir loft to be installed. Brother Carden continued as pastor until he resigned on August 3, 1980. Brother Johnny Daniel was called as Calvary's next pastor on August 24, 1980, a position he held until his resignation on June 16, 1985. Under his leadership, the church would purchase the Cook property and construct the fellowship hall. Then on July 14, 1985, Brother Ollie Shadrix was called as pastor until he resigned on August 6, 1985. Almost one year later, Calvary's next and current spiritual leader, Dr. J. Howard Mills, became pastor on June 1, 1986. Brother Mills has resided as pastor for an unprecedented 16 years. Under his stewardship, the church has grown and the congregation increased.
    Over those 16 years, things have changed and re-changed, with the sanctuary being first remodeled, and then greatly expanded. A sound system was added, and then updated to current standards. More property was purchased. A brand new passenger van was acquired for use by the church. The pastorium was remodeled, as well as the basement of the church, which was turned into a food bank. More parking spaces were added. A beautiful Veterans Memorial was erected to honor the men and families of Calvary's members that served this great nation. And this website, MyCalvary.net, was created and launched, expanding Calvary's touch across the globe. The list of accomplishments achieved over the past 16 years could go on and on. But the one that is sure to be most important, is that the ministries, testimony and reach of Calvary into our community and state has been firmly established under the unwavering leadership of Pastor Mills.

Behold, I come quickly... Revelation 22:7 

    With the beginning of a new millennium, the leadership and congregation of Calvary Baptist Church looks forward to continued growth and service to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As a people chosen to serve, we recognize that the fields are white unto harvest and the time of the rapture, when the bridegroom returns for his bride, draws near. With this in mind, we dedicate ourselves to His service and to the vision that has become Calvary Baptist Church, and look forward to that day when Jesus will look at each of us, individually, and say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."