“Just Tell Them about Jesus.”
Founded on a love for Christ and a love for others, Calvary Chapel Baptist Church began when one family committed themselves to following wherever God would lead them. For the Lodge family, following the Lord’s call meant moving their family from Philadelphia, PA to Gloucester, MA to establish a church that would proclaim a message of love and of hope, founded in the Word of God.
With his wife and children at his side, Howard Lodge Sr. set out to do just that. After moving to Gloucester in 1947, the church began meeting in homes. From there, they began to meet in storefronts on Center Street, Washington Street, and Middle Street and eventually moved to larger halls. In the early 1960s, after attendance had grown from about 20 to 60 people, the church purchased an old school building on Beacon Street. It was during this time that the church also established Follow the Leader Preschool (1978), which would later become Faith Christian School. In 1989, the church decided to purchase land on Washington Street, its current location, to acquire more space and to free up funds to support missionaries and other Christian efforts. Since that time, Calvary Chapel Baptist Church strives to fulfill the calling that Howard Lodge Sr. started many years ago. Before Howard Lodge Sr. passed away in 2004, his son, Howard Jr., asked him, “What do you want me to tell people after you die?” His father simply replied, “Just tell them about Jesus.” Lodge’s words continue to be the foundation of Calvary Chapel Baptist Church.
Founded on a love for Christ and a love for others, Calvary Chapel Baptist Church began when one family committed themselves to following wherever God would lead them. For the Lodge family, following the Lord’s call meant moving their family from Philadelphia, PA to Gloucester, MA to establish a church that would proclaim a message of love and of hope, founded in the Word of God.
With his wife and children at his side, Howard Lodge Sr. set out to do just that. After moving to Gloucester in 1947, the church began meeting in homes. From there, they began to meet in storefronts on Center Street, Washington Street, and Middle Street and eventually moved to larger halls. In the early 1960s, after attendance had grown from about 20 to 60 people, the church purchased an old school building on Beacon Street. It was during this time that the church also established Follow the Leader Preschool (1978), which would later become Faith Christian School. In 1989, the church decided to purchase land on Washington Street, its current location, to acquire more space and to free up funds to support missionaries and other Christian efforts. Since that time, Calvary Chapel Baptist Church strives to fulfill the calling that Howard Lodge Sr. started many years ago. Before Howard Lodge Sr. passed away in 2004, his son, Howard Jr., asked him, “What do you want me to tell people after you die?” His father simply replied, “Just tell them about Jesus.” Lodge’s words continue to be the foundation of Calvary Chapel Baptist Church.