Calvary Chapel ICFG

A brief history of Calvary Chapel Church,
written by:
Rev. Michael S. Gribbons.

In Janurary 1930 Elsie baker, Neta Watts and Ruth Anderson were sent to
Le Claire, Iowa to begin a series of church meetings under the direction on Dr. Alfred W. Kortkamp, founder and pastor of the Moline Gospel Temple, Moline, Illinois.

Services were started in the abandoned Methodist Church at the corner of North Cody Road and Reynolds Streets and then continued at the Le Claire Presbyerian Church at the invitation of it's pastor, Rev. C. E. Thompson.

In June of 1930, Rev. Edna Watson and Rev. Mabel Watts began a five-week revival in the Methodist Church building that had become their meeting place. At this time seventy-two individuals sought the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.

In 1931, after experiencing the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, Rev. Thompson and about half of the Presbyterian Church united with Rev. Watson's group and formed the "Le Claire Full Gospel Tabernacle" with Rev. Thompson as pastor assisted by Edna Watson, Neta Watts, Ruth Anderson, Elsie Baker and Alta Suiter. The Tabernacle was now a branch church of the Moline Gospel Temple.

At the corner of South Cody Road and Davenport Street, the new congregation, with help from Moline Gospel Temple, a small church building was erected. The cornerstone was laid on June 4, 1931 and dedicted July 4, 1931. A three day rally was held at that time with services conducted by Rev. Watson, Dr. & Mrs Kortkamp, Rev. Watts and Rev. & Mrs. McGleen. One person, Mr. Geroge Bagley of Le Claire, responded to the messages and became the first person saved in the "Full Gospel Tabernacle".

The first water baptismal was held on the shores of the Mississippi River on July 26, 1931. Sixteen were baptized, including Alma Stewart, Helen Long, John (Les) Fullmer and Ludy Anderson.

In December, 1931 Rev. Thompson resigned as pastor with Edna Watson elected to fill that position the following January, 1932.

During the following years, the Tabernacle was the sight of many people experiencing Jesus Christ as Savior, Baptizer in the Holy Spirit, Healer and Knowing Him as Soon coming King.

A parsonage was erected next to the Tabernacle in the late 1930's.

In 1938-1939, a division within the church came to the forefront with many of the charter members leaving the Tabernacle.

A new house of worship was started in the main business district of the city of Le Claire; Calvary Gospel Church. Carl and Leona Folk, "The Singing Folks", were called as the first pastors. Dr. Kortkamp of the Gospel Temple was again called upon to help with the dedication of the Calvary Gospel Church, and on November 19, 1939 the the church was dedicated with Rev. Gerald Boyer of Rockford, Illinios preaching the dedicatory message: "The City at the Door".

In 1940, Rev. & Mrs Thomas T. Wilkinson became the new pastors. In 1942, the Moline Gospel Temple pastors, Dr. & Mrs. Kortkamp purchased where the orginal place of worship, the abandoned Methodist Church, had once stood. They presented to the Calvary Gospel Church the property and a cornerstone was laid for a new structure April of 1944 with a full dedication of the newly named "Calvary Chapel" in March, 1945.

Rev. & Mrs. Wilkerson left in 1947 and Rev. & Mrs Theodore Piper became the new ministers. Rev. Piper was known for his musical ability and under his ministry the Chapel congregation continued to grow. It was during this time that both the Ross and Hill Families became a part of the fellowship.

In 1952, Rev. Katherine Knutson, an evangelist with the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel became pastor. She served until late summer 1953.

Rev. & Mrs. Jack Hicks, also from the Foursquare Gospel Churches, assumed the mantle of leadership in 1953. On June 8, 1955 the congregation officially became a part of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel and was now known as "Calvary Chapel Foursquare Church". Rev. Vincent R. Bird, then Great Lakes district Supervisor of Foursquare Churches worked with the congregation and pastors to complete the transition.

Under the Hicks ministry, a parsonage was constructed just North of the Church building doing away with the house trailer that had served as a parsonage up until that time.

September, 1954 saw Rev. and Mrs. Robert Steele appointed as pastors, serving until July, 1958. The Wilson family became a part of the fellowship under the Steele ministry.

Rev. & Mrs. Otis Ewbank came as the next pastors, this being the first of their two seperate appointments as pastors to Calvary Chapel Fourssquare Church. They served until August, 1960.

In July, 1965 Otis and Florence Ewbank returned as pastors.

August, 1965 saw many severe thunderstorms roll across the Mississippi River Valley and on August 31, 1965 the Le Claire, Princeton and pleasant Valley Fire Departments were called into action. The Calvary Chapel Foursquare Church building had been struck by lightning and was now ablaze.

The quick acting fire departments managed to save the lower level of the church, but the Sanctuary, upper classrooms and pastors office was completely distroyed. It wasn't until January, 1966 that the men and womem of the church were able to begin rebuilding the structure. On January 17 in below zero weather, the burned walls were razed.

The congregation's services were held at the Bridgeview Elementary School and Pastor and Mrs. Ewbanks home during their time without a structure.

The building became occupied on Sunday, May 8, 1966 without pews, carpet and finished walls. Many other things were also left undone. The congregation, laboring long and hard finished the building the next year and on September 23-24, 1967 a gala dedication was held with the present Great Lakes District Supervisor, Dr. Merrill E. Nicholls, rededicating the beautiful open-beamed Sancturary to God's continuted Glory.

Paul & Beverly Streed and family were the next pastors of Calvary Chapel Foursquare Church, coming in 1969. The church grew dramatically under their ministry with a very successful "Parson to Person" phone ministry. Pastor Streed and family left in March of 1974.
Rev. & Mrs. Donald Willier followed as pastors, serving until 1979.

Rev. and Mrs. Harry Poling began their service as pastors in September of 1979. During their ministry, the orginal indebtedness on the structure was paid off, a new outdoor sign and steeple installed and with funds from a "mile of pennies", a handicap ramp was constructed. The nursery was relocated to the balcony with new restrooms installed in both nursery and main floor of the structure. Two new properties were bought. The parking lot was enlarged with a block retaining wall added and the Sanctuary platform was remodeled with new carpeting throughout the Sanctuary. The Polings ended their pastorate in February, 1993.

Great Lakes District Supervisor, Rev. Fred Parker, appointed as the new pastoral family Rev's Michael and Mary Gribbons and daughter Allison in March, 1993. They are serving as Calvary Chapel's fifteenth pastors. During their ministry, thus far, has come a renewed sense of revival along with a continued desire to reach out to the community of Le Claire with the same evangelistic fervor and dependence upon the ministry of the Holy Spirit that characterized the begining of this expression of the Body of Christ.

In preperation for the 65th Anniversay celebration, new chandeliers were installed in the Sanctuary and foyer as well as new carpeting and painting in the fellowship hall.

They have continued the outreach of children through the Foursquare "Bears" program, as well working with the Teens who are the next generation of Adults that will be keep this church alive for God. Under the Gribbon's ministry the church paid off the debts to the two rental properties that had been aquired during the Rev. Harry Poling's tenure. There was a burning of the contract for the Cody Street property, with both Rev. Gribbons and Rev. Poling participating, and with the congregation being present as well. During the Gribbons pastorate, acquisition of a Baldwin Baby Grand Piano and a State of the art sound system was installed.

We thank God for His Guidance and direction over the past 70 years. Hundreds of people have come through the doors of Calvary Chapel to find peace; with themselves and most importantly, with God. Many have felt and known the Call of God upon their lives to enter full-time ministry in other parts of the nation and world, many more have attended Bible College and are active and productive in many churches.

If Calvary Chapel has a theme song, it is undoubtedly the great gospel song of Fanny Crosby: "To God be the Glory".

May we always "give Him the Glory, Great things He has done!"

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