Calvary Baptist Church celebrates 150 years

By Kathryn Menue

Editor

BELVIDERE – On Sunday, Oct. 25, the Calvary Baptist Church, located at 312 North State St. in Belvidere, celebrated its 150^th anniversary at 2 p.m.

While stepping through the big doors to the church, one felt like they were stepping through a gateway into the churches past. Photo albums, church relics, and a pictorial timeline covered the walls and tables of the church for members of the church and community to see. Flowers, which were kindly donated by members of the church, decorated the room to give the space an extra special glow for the ceremony.

Over 60 members of the church and community attended the historical event, which opened with welcoming remarks and the hymnal “To God Be the Glory.”

The current pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Rev. Daniel Lashley opened the service with a great thanks to the congregation and to God for helping the church make it to their 150^th anniversary.

“It’s amazing to see what God has done for our congregation,” Rev. Lashley said. The feeling of amazement could be felt throughout the church with special speeches from church members, former pastors, and community members, like Mayor Mike Chamberlain.

Mayor Chamberlain said that the Calvary Baptist Church, like other congregations in the community, is what makes Belvidere great.

“This is a community where other communities can look at us and say this is what a community should look like,” Mayor Chamberlain said.

The mayor said that he was proud to be a part of the church’s wonderful achievement of making it 150 years and joked that he was sorry he wouldn’t be able to make the next one.

The history of the church continued with Al Henninger reading a letter sent by Rev. Richard Prochnow who was the pastor for the church during the 100 year anniversary.

Former pastor, Rev. Richard Nelson, was also in attendance with his wife and said that he began his term as pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church 34 years ago on anniversary Sunday. He and his wife thanked the members of the church, who welcomed them into the church and community and made their time in Belvidere a pleasant one.

“My favorite part of the church was bible study with the Godly ladies,” Nelson’s wife said.

“I appreciate all of you,” Rev. Nelson said and added that if we do one thing in life, let it be to “just love each other.”

The ceremony ended with the hymnal, “How Great Thou Art” and final comments from the church members, including ones who had been a part of the church since the day they were born and those who had just recently been baptized this year.

After the celebratory ceremony, everyone rejoiced together by enjoying each other’s company, by studying the history of the church scattered across the walls, and by eating the delicious cake served for the celebration.

One member summed up the celebration perfectly by stating, “We’ve lasted 150 years; I guess that means we are supposed to be here.”