History

For over seventy years, First & Calvary has maintained a reputation locally and nationally as a vital community of faith. One of the largest Presbyterian Churches in Missouri from its beginning, the church has played an important role in Presbytery, Synod, and General Assembly affairs. It is particularly noted for support of church missions.

In American church history, it is regrettably common for congregations to split. It is uncommon for two congregations to merge. First & Calvary Presbyterian Church was born when the congregations of First Presbyterian Church and Calvary Presbyterian Church merged.

Worldwide economic developments in the 1920s and 1930s heavily influenced the merger. The old First Presbyterian Church, encouraged by the boom of the 1920s, began constructing its new building in 1928. Old Calvary Church Then
in October of 1929, when the new church was more than half completed, the American stock market crash occurred. The congregation soon found themselves in the midst of a depression with a beautiful new church building and a debt of $85,000. Old Calvary Church had a church building that could be sold for cash, plus a fine young pastor. Thus the merger and the birth of First & Calvary Presbyterian Church.

Since the beginning, the congregation has been blessed with outstanding pastoral leadership. Four individuals who have served in succession as senior pastor – Arthur McClung (1930-1962), Bill Everheart (1962-1971), Jack Hart (1972-1990), and Gary Stratman (1990-2005), Greg Seckman (2007-present) – have contributed significantly to the congregation, the community, and to the denomination. Many associate and assistant pastors have added much to the church’s growth and development.

First Presbyterian Church There have been more significant events in the life of the church than can be described here. A wonderful book about the rich history of the church, written in 1987 by Duane Meyer and V. Marie Arnold, chronicles many of these events and milestones in colorful detail. It is available in the church library and makes for fascinating reading.

A few of the most notable events are:

1930 First & Calvary Presbyterian Church established October 1.

1937 Publication of First & Calvary Review began.

1946 Indebtedness for construction of church retired. Deed of Trust burned by the church youth.

1952 The new education wing was completed and used for the first time.

1952 The church began holding two worship services on Sunday mornings.

1960 The church sanctuary was air conditioned.

1961 The church gym was remodeled for fellowship and dining.

1962 Men’s Prayer Breakfasts began.

1963 The first women were elected as elders and deacons.

1965 The mosaic of St. Paul was installed in the Sanctuary.

1979 A new Austin pipe organ was installed in the Sanctuary.

1983 The Presbyterian Church in the U.S.(Southern Church) and the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. (Northern Church) merge to form the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

First & Calvary continues to grow in faith, strength, members, and dedication to its mission.

	Discover our Past	nnn

The History of First & Calvary For over seventy years, First & Calvary has maintained a reputation locally and nationally as a vital community of faith. One of the largest Presbyterian Churches in Missouri from its beginning, the church has played an important role in Presbytery, Synod, and General Assembly affairs. It is particularly noted for support of church missions. In American church history, it is regrettably common for congregations to split. It is uncommon for two congregations to merge. First & Calvary Presbyterian Church was born when the congregations of First Presbyterian Church and Calvary Presbyterian Church merged. Worldwide economic developments in the 1920s and 1930s heavily influenced the merger. The old First Presbyterian Church, encouraged by the boom of the 1920s, began constructing its new building in 1928. Old Calvary Church Then in October of 1929, when the new church was more than half completed, the American stock market crash occurred. The congregation soon found themselves in the midst of a depression with a beautiful new church building and a debt of $85,000. Old Calvary Church had a church building that could be sold for cash, plus a fine young pastor. Thus the merger and the birth of First & Calvary Presbyterian Church. Since the beginning, the congregation has been blessed with outstanding pastoral leadership. Four individuals who have served in succession as senior pastor – Arthur McClung (1930-1962), Bill Everheart (1962-1971), Jack Hart (1972-1990), and Gary Stratman (1990-2005), Greg Seckman (2007-present) – have contributed significantly to the congregation, the community, and to the denomination. Many associate and assistant pastors have added much to the church’s growth and development. There have been more significant events in the life of the church than can be described here. A wonderful book about the rich history of the church, written in 1987 by Duane Meyer and V. Marie Arnold, chronicles many of these events and milestones in colorful detail. It is available in the church library and makes for fascinating reading. A few of the most notable events are: 1930 First & Calvary Presbyterian Church established October 1. 1937 Publication of First & Calvary Review began. 1946 Indebtedness for construction of church retired. Deed of Trust burned by the church youth. 1952 The new education wing was completed and used for the first time. 1952 The church began holding two worship services on Sunday mornings. 1960 The church sanctuary was air conditioned. 1961 The church gym was remodeled for fellowship and dining. 1962 Men’s Prayer Breakfasts began. 1963 The first women were elected as elders and deacons. 1965 The mosaic of St. Paul was installed in the Sanctuary. 1979 A new Austin pipe organ was installed in the Sanctuary. 1983 The Presbyterian Church in the U.S.(Southern Church) and the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. (Northern Church) merge to form the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) First & Calvary continues to grow in faith, strength, members, and dedication to its mission.