Calvary Chapel started as a Bible Study in 1980. Richie Furay led us in the Word of God until he moved down the Canyon to Boulder where he pioneered a Calvary Chapel church. Six hippies without a guitar continued to meet in Nederland. An invitation (advertisement) in the Mountain Ear newspaper brought a couple from Texas to the Thursday evening meeting. Johnny and Anna Smith were an answer to prayer. God sent them to the mountains to get a church up and going.

In August 1981, we had our first Sunday service. We moved to the old elementary school the next Sunday. The church grew because of the leadership and commitment of this pastoral couple. Their love of Jesus was contagious. One could not help but be drawn to them and the church.

In the spring of 1982, Johnny found the A-frame on Highway 72. It had been a home, candle shop, and a witch coven, but now it was in foreclosure. A mighty move of the hand of God placed the building in our possession. The body had grown to about 75 adults and lots of kids. Within two years, the new sanctuary was built. Upon moving in, Johnny and Anna moved on. Having finished their work in Nederland, they returned to Texas to be close to family and old friends. With a strong foundation we continued on in the service of the Lord. Jim Scott assumed the position as pastor and Doug Gibney was the adult Bible study teacher. The church went through a long season of trials and tribulations, but by the grace of God we survived. In the fall of 1986, Jim stepped down from his position as pastor, and Doug was called up. God’s hand was moving again and so was the church.

New studies began, a children’s ministry was started, a worship team and choir were singing, and the “pot faith” was up and going again. The cabin was purchased in 1989. It was used as a safe house, a home of ROW (Reaching Out to Women), classrooms, and is now remodeled for the ministry. In 1991, Calvary completed the third sanctuary. Soon, another addition was done to provide more classroom space. In the summer of 2003, we took over and moved into the beautiful space known as Poppy Plaza, situated across the stream. It was the perfect place for more classrooms, offices for Doug and Tom, and the Caring Pregnancy Center. A big blessing from the Lord, it has enabled us to continue to serve each other and our community.

Calvary has continued to grow and flourish in the ways of the Lord for 30 years. We never forget those small, humble beginnings and always remember God’s amazing grace on a few hippies who heard the call and answered, “Yes, Lord!”