Our History

A Legacy of Faithfulness

In 1907–1908 plans were formulated for opening two Baptist churches to accommodate the coal-mining families moving into the Buck Run area. Funds allowed only the completion of Two Lick Baptist Church in Dixonville.

In 1909, Edmund Widdowson, a prominent local businessman, gave the upper story of a store building in Buck Run for a meeting place. After the building burned, a new one was constructed. The meeting place became known as Two Lick Baptist Mission, and various pastors ministered there in those early years.

After Widdowson’s death in 1929, his heirs donated the building to the mission, which was then renamed Widdowson Gospel Mission. By 1933 the entire building was used for Sunday school classes and church services.

In April 1941 a building fund was started for a new church building, and God miraculously provided the property. The church agreed to place a $500 bid on property in Green Township; Norman (“Squire”) Keith felt led to add $5. When the closed bids were opened, the high bid was just $505—ours. The Lord had wonderfully supplied.

On December 27, 1942, the new building—now called Calvary Gospel Church—was dedicated, with Rev. J. E. Wheeling as pastor. The church became fully organized under Rev. Earl Staples, who pastored from 1944–1949. Eleven charter members were recorded in January 1945.

In 1961 an addition and interior remodeling were completed, and with the bus ministry the church began to grow. A new church building was erected and dedicated on December 12, 1971. In 1975 Rev. Ronald Allen became pastor; a new auditorium, educational wing, and office complex were completed in 1976. In 1978 the church recorded its highest Sunday-morning attendance—1,037 people. Dr. Daryl Jeffers answered the call in November 1986 and served until October 2021.

The church was called Calvary Baptist Church as early as January 1945, though the name was not formally approved by the courts until December 14, 1953. God has done great things here: many souls have been saved, baptized, and gone into full-time Christian service. Calvary has always been a missions-minded church, and our prayer is that it will continue to develop Christians who seek God’s will and serve the Lord.