"That they may know that this is Your hand - that You, LORD, have done it!"
Psalm 109:27
Happy Days and The Big Decision
Lyman Wendt Resigns
The 50's brought many changes to Calvary Church. After twelve fruitful years, Pastor Wendt resigned to begin a new ministry at Riverside Bible Church where he served until his death in 1957.
During the 1950's, the Korean War brought further unrest to the world. However, people in Orange County continued to find hope and encouragement in the teaching of God's Word and our congregation grew.
Rev. Earl Morgan Becomes Calvary's Third Pastor in 1952
Earl Morgan was a graduate of Dallas Seminary, class of 1927, where he was a classmate of both Dr. Lewis Sperry Chafer and Dr. Harry A. Ironside. Pastor Morgan was also a graduate of Biola.
As founding pastor of Emmanuel Faith Community Church in Escondido, and director of the Christian Servicemen's Organization in Santa Ana, Rev. Earl Morgan and his family were well known and loved by the members of Calvary Church. In fact, he and his family became members of Calvary during his time at the CSO. During these years he had the opportunity to lead many young servicemen to the Lord. Some of these men would not return home.
When Earl Morgan moved to Santa Ana to head the servicemen's work, Calvary's own Coy Maret succeeded him as pastor of Emmanuel Faith Community Church.
When World War II ended and the CSO work slowed considerably, and Pastor Morgan accepted a teaching position at Multnomah School of the Bible in Portland, Oregon, where several of Calvary's young people attended. While there, Calvary extended the invitation for him to become our pastor. He accepted the call and became our third pastor in October 1952.
Pastor Morgan's wife, Verda, a gifted story teller, kept the children's church kids coming back week after week to hear the next story in the Johnny and Susie series. Their children, Don and Elaine, were leaders in the young people's group. (Daughter Elenore was married at this time.)
As Pastor Morgan's health declined (he had suffered a heart attack while at Multnomah) and the work load increased, Calvary hired its first associate pastor, Don De Boer. Don's ministry was primarily with the youth. However, he assisted Pastor Morgan by performing weddings and other functions of the church as well.
Because it had become increasingly difficult for Pastor Morgan to stand while preaching, he often sat on a stool as he brought the morning and evening messages. In 1955 his health continued to decline, so after three faithful years of preaching the Word, counseling and mentoring, Pastor Morgan resigned. Don DeBoer also resigned at this time. Farewell parties were held for both pastors.
Pastor Morgan's ministry was described as one of stability and preparation. "We are deeply grateful for his sacrificial ministry to the people of Calvary Church. Our prayers and genuine appreciation will follow him and his good family."
Calvary Church Withdraws From the ACCC
At the annual meeting of 1955 Calvary voted to withdraw from the American Council of Christian Churches. It was recommended by the Elder Board that Calvary remain an independent church unaffiliated with other organizations .
Deacons Fellowship Fund Established
This fund was established in 1955 to provide for the emergency needs of our church family. Although its name has been changed to the Emergency Needs Fund , its purpose remains the same and continues to serve the needs of our congregation.
Dr. Arthur B. Whiting Becomes Interim Pastor
Dr. Whiting preached one Sunday as a guest speaker. People were so pleased with Dr. Whiting that he was asked to fill the pulpit until a new pastor could be found. It was considered a rare opportunity to have him ministering to them. He continued in this position until the calling of Pastor Michael Samsvick. Along with Dr. Whiting, three other renowned pastors filled the pulpit during this interim period; Ray Stedman, Pastor of the Peninsula Bible Church, Dr. J. Vernon McGee, pastor of Church of the Open Door in Los Angeles and well known Bible teacher of "Through the Bible" radio ministry, and Dr. Charles Feinberg, who at that time was professor of Semitics and Old Testament at Talbot Theological Seminary.
Michael Samsvick Becomes Calvary's Fourth Pastor
A young 33-year-old pastor by the name of Michael Samsvick was recommended by Dr. Whiting and Dr. John Walvrood of Dallas Seminary. On May 1, 1956 he preached his first sermon at Calvary church. In the annual report of May 9, 1956 it says, "We believe that Rev. Samsvick is going to lead us into the most extraordinary era of our church history ." This would prove to be prophetic as he would lead Calvary for the next 26 years.
Michael Samsvick was raised by godly parents and often spoke of his early days in the Russian Baptist Church. As a young man he entered the U.S. Navy and encountered an experience in which he felt certain that the Lord had spared his life. It was at this moment that he made a commitment to serve Him the rest of his life. (A commitment kept) In preparation for the ministry he attended Pennsylvania Bible College, Kings College and Dallas Seminary.He and Jennie had a little girl, Joan, and would add a son, Dean, in 1959. Although he graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary, he was a Connecticut Yankee and would find Southern California lifestyle different and challenging.
Silver Anniversary Celebrated
The 25 th Anniversary banquet was held on May 16, 1957 with Mr. E.S. Goodner as Master of Ceremonies. It was a wonderful evening filled with many shared memories, and much praise and thanksgiving as the church family celebrated and recalled God's many blessings over the past 25 years. Special praise was given that the building loan on the auditorium was now paid in full! A skit "Let's Look in Memory's Book" was presented, and the evening was closed with remarks from Pastor Samsvick and the singing of Blest Be the Tie .
Staff Added
William H. Rice was hired as Assistant Pastor in 1956, working primarily with the children and youth ministries. He was ordained at Calvary in 1957 and served until 1959 when he accepted the call to become a senior pastor. Every phase of our youth work accelerated as a result of his ministry and the increased emphasis put upon it.
After William Rice left, John Zilkow was hired that same year as part-time Minister of Christian Education. In the 1959 Annual Report John stated that the audio visual department was growing with the purchase of a slide projector, a 16 mm Bell and Howell movie projector and 35 new film strips. John is the brother of Jennie Samsvick, and attends Calvary today where he and his family continue to serve in various lay positions. John, an accomplished musician, has also served as a pianist at Calvary.
When Edwin Elliott was hired in 1956 as Minister of Music, a new and dynamic music and worship ministry began. Children's choirs, a youth choir and vocal ensembles were organized and the adult choir was expanded. Mrs. Martha Elliott became the church organist soon after. Both Ed and Martha Elliott are accomplished musicians who, for many years, used their gifts for the service of the Lord at Calvary Church.
Children's Choir
Adult Choir
Youth Choir
Amendment to the Constitution and By-Laws
In July of 1955, the membership voted to amend the Constitution and By-Laws by deleting the following paragraph: "The Pastor of the church shall be elected at each annual meeting and shall serve until the next annual meeting."
Local Ministries
At home ministries continued by the "gospel teams" to the Whittier Boy's Home, the County Jail, San Pedro Mission, County Hospital, and the Christian Servicemen's Organization. Evangelistic meetings were held with Rev. Haddon Robinson, Dr. Percy Crawford and Dr. J. Vernon McGee. Daily Vacation Bible School and Child Evangelism Fellowship continue to reach many boys and girls for Christ. Easter Sunrise services held at Irvine Park served as an outreach opportunity to reach many unchurched.
Dr. J. Vernon McGee
Evangelistic meetings were led by Dr. McGee at Calvary Church in November of 1957. The auditorium was filled each night with people coming from Orange, Riverside, and Los Angeles counties. Many accepted Christ, and six new families joined Calvary Church as a result of these meetings.
Myrtle Hynes, Chosen Director of Child Evangelism Fellowship of Orange County
Child Evangelism Fellowship grew under the direction of Myrtle Hynes, a Calvary member who had replaced another Calvary member, Carol Zuercher as the Orange County Director. Prior to accepting this position, Myrtle had worked with Christian Release Time program. She not only served CEF, but was a leader in Children's Ministries of Calvary where she directed the Primary and Junior departments. She also served in Vacation Bible School. Good News Clubs (a part of Child Evangelism Fellowship) were started all over the county, many in the homes of Calvary Church members. Scores of boys and girls accepted Christ during the twenty-two years she served at Calvary and with Child Evangelism Fellowship. Myrtle was supported as a Calvary missionary until the time of her death. 
Worldwide Missions
Several new missionaries left for the field during the 50’s: Gale and Jean Van Diest, Russell and Barbara Reed, Dorothy Berndt Davis, Don and Mary Mc Alpine, Ralph and Marian Stuck, George and Frances Boggs, Herb and Grace Fuqua, John Tuggy, Marilyn Winther, Ray and Carol Zuercher, Ken and Gloria Radach, Marjorie Hawes Campbell, John and Joyce Stuck, and Edward Tuggy.
Decision Time
Under Pastor Samsvick's direction, God continued to build His church and the body continued to grow. Parties, picnics, family camping trips, etc. drew them together. However, the time soon came to make a critical decision. to stay in town as a city church or to face the challenge presented by the phenomenal growth and urbanization of Orange County.
The five acre Todd property was made available in 1957 for $40,000. After much prayer the decision was made to move to the country. The property was purchased on September 3, 1957 from C.W. and Frances Todd, parents of Don Todd and Marian Todd Stuck, long-time members of Calvary Church. A building fund was established to pay off the property before moving. The church parsonage at 1108 French Street was sold for $11,600 and used as a down payment for the purchase. The amount owed was reduced from $40,000 to $16,520 in just one year. The entire $40,000 was paid off in three years without special promotion. With the sale of the property at 6th and French, and a loan from the bank, construction began at 1010 N. Tustin Avenue.
continue reading about Calvary's History... The 1960's - The Big Move