Calvary Bible Church, 4001 Mountain Creek Road, is celebrating its 50th anniversary during December. 

 

The church history goes back to 1948 when Pastor R.E. Burroughs and some members formed the North Red Bank Cumberland Presbyterian Church on East View Court in Red Bank. Rev.

T.N. Hayes was called as pastor in the late 50s. He and his wife died in an automobile accident in Florida. 

 

Shortly thereafter, the congregation changed the name to Hayes Memorial Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 

 

Rev. John S. Lanham, a young pastor from near Cleveland, Tn., was called to Hayes in 1962.  Rev. Lanham and his wife Ruth owned Lanham’s Bible Bookshop in Brainerd Village for over 40 years.  Rev. Lanham also served as Hamilton County Sheriff’s department Chaplain. Sheriff Jim Hammond called Rev. Lanham “a true man of God”.

 

A disagreement between the Presbytery and Hayes forced the congregation to re-locate.  Rev. Lanham told his membership they would start all over.  Rev. Lanham and the elders located several acres on Mountain Creek Road at the intersection of Morrison Springs Road.  By faith, the small group set out to build a new facility to be known as Calvary Bible Church.  The first service was held on December 21, 1969.   Rev. Lanham said the purpose of Calvary Bible Church was to point people to Christ and make better Christians out of the worshipers. 

 

Rev. Lanham and several others served as pastors until Dr. Bill Henry was called in 2012.  Dr. Henry is the son of the late Dr. Jim Henry, former Chattanooga Public School Superintendent.  Dr. Henry was Brainerd Baptist School headmaster for 10 years. He has an extensive military background and pastored several churches in the Chattanooga area. 

 

The church will have a special anniversary service Sunday, Dec. 8, at 11 a.m. Elder Roy Clapp will present church history. Elder Clapp is one of the church's oldest members. A special Christmas Anniversary dinner will be held that afternoon at 5 p.m.  All members, former members and friends are invited to come early and bring their pictures. 

 

The church has hosted many well-known Bible teachers through the years.  They include Dr. Franklin Logsdon, Dr. John Walvoord, Dr. Fred Garland, Rev. Norman Messenger, Jack and Kay Arthur, Dean Sipple, Rev. T. Perry Brannon and Rev. Earle Stevens, who also served as interim pastor several times.  Mr. P.D. Booth spoke at the church numerous times.  He was an associate of Rev. Brannon at the Gospel Tabernacle downtown.  The late Rev. David Carpenter served as music director for over 30 years. 

 

Dr. Henry is the current pastor, Mike Huskey, music director, and Phyllis Miller, church secretary. 

Calvary Bible Church is independent and not affiliated with any denomination.  Church government is patterned after the Presbyterian Church with a session, elders and deacons.  The church has services on Sundays at 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. and Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.  Dr. Henry said everyone is always welcome