IT STARTED OVER 75 YEARS AGO
With a rich heritage of over 75 years and a vibrant future, Calvary Temple is a place of changed lives. Calvary Temple, first known as Pentecostal Assembly of God, started in 1932 in a building rented from the Salvation Army in downtown Modesto. This was just a few blocks from its future home at the corner of 6th and G Street.
Throughout the long history of Calvary Temple, one can trace the tremendous steps of vision and destiny. In 1965, under the leadership of Pastor Donald Bogue, this growing church decided to build a new building surrounded by dairy farms and almond orchards east of town. Many questioned building so far from the thriving downtown, but little did they realize that this new eight-acre property would later be in the center of a busy city. They would hold their first service in their 600-seat sanctuary on Sunday, May 15, 1966.
ANOTHER STEP OF FAITH
In 1967, this expanding church became known as Calvary Temple. In 1971, Joe D. Wright became its senior pastor and soon purchased 36 adjacent acres. Calvary Temple experienced tremendous growth and would soon add on an educational center, church offices, and Sunday school rooms. Calvary Temple would grow to add on what is now known as Calvary Tempe Academy (Preschool – 12th Grade) and Global Bible Institute. In a step of faith and vision, Calvary Temple built a 2500 seat sanctuary, prayer chapel, and nursery in 1986. This God-inspired building program, with the theme “Building A Dream that Will Endure,” featured what is still the largest auditorium to date in Modesto.
THE MIRACLE IN MODESTO
In 1994, Pastor Joe D. Wright retired as Senior Pastor of Calvary Temple. The mantle of leadership would then be passed to another visionary leader in Glen Berteau. It would be Pastor Joe D. Wright who would build the building, and God would use Pastor Glen Berteau to fill it. In 1995, Calvary Temple hosted Heaven’s Gates and Hell’s Flames. In what was originally a three-day drama, Heaven’s Gates & Hell’s Flames would be extended to over 29 days. With over 80,000 in attendance and 33,000 salvations in less than a month. This amazing revival was called “The Miracle in Modesto.” In 2007, Calvary Temple presented Heaven’s Gates and Hell’s Flames for the thirteenth time. Over the last 13 years, over 200,000 have been in attendance with over 90,000 salvations.
Under the leadership of Pastor Glen Berteau, Calvary Temple Worship Center has experienced vibrant growth. An 8:30 AM Sunday Service, as well as a 6:00 PM Saturday Evening Service were added to accommodate this increase in attendance. The Christian School of Calvary Temple would be extended into High School in 1996, which saw its first graduating class in June 1999. In another step of vision in 1998, the Family Life Center, which includes a gymnasium, classrooms and fitness center, was built. In 2006, Calvary Temple’s Main Sanctuary went through an extensive remodel.
BEYOND THE WALLS
Calvary Temple has always been focused on reaching its city. With the vision to reach beyond the walls of our church, Nineveh Outreach was established in 1998. The Mission of Nineveh Outreach is to ease the pain and sorrow of the discouraged and disadvantaged in the City of Modesto, through feeding, clothing and medical assistance. Nineveh Outreach faithfully ministers each week in various city locations of Modesto, and at our on-campus site.
AND THE STORY GOES ON
Calvary Temple Worship Center is a diverse congregation representing people from a variety of backgrounds, nations, races and ages. Calvary Temple is known for its spirit of worship, prophetic preaching, generosity, faith in the goodness of God and warm Christian love. Calvary Temple began planting new churches in 1999 and continues with a vision that encompasses the greater Modesto Area, San Francisco Bay area, and cities and villages around the world as the Lord leads.