Our Vision Statement

"Filled to overflowing by the love of Christ, we will build a healthy church, committing the resources God has given us to advance Christ's kingdom, flooding Willow Grove and the surrounding communities with the gospel of grace and reconciliation."

Adopted May 2004

Our Denomination

Calvary Presbyterian Church, Willow Grove, Pennsylvania is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in America.

Our Statement of Faith

• The Bible is the inspired and inerrant Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice.
• There is one God, eternal and self-existing in three persons (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) who are to be equally loved, honored, and adored.
• All mankind participated in Adam's fall from his original sinless state and is thus lost in sin and totally helpless.
• The Sovereign God, for no other reason than His own unfathomable love and mercy, has chosen lost sinners from every nation to be redeemed by the quickening power of the Holy Spirit and through the atoning death and resurrection of His son, Jesus Christ.
• Those sinners whom the Spirit quickens, come to believe in Christ as Savior by the Word of God, are born again, become sons of God, and will persevere to the end.
• Justification is by faith and through it the undeserving sinner is clothed with the righteousness of Christ.
• The goal of God's salvation in the life of the Christian is holiness, good works, and service for the glory of God.
• At death the Christian's soul passes immediately into the presence of God and the unbeliever's soul is eternally separated from God unto condemnation.
• Baptism is a sign of God's covenant and is properly administered to children of believers in their infancy as well as to those who come as adults to trust in Christ.
• Jesus Christ will return to earth, visibly and bodily, at a time when He is not expected, to consummate history and the eternal plan of God.
• The Gospel of God's salvation in Jesus Christ must be published to all the world as a witness before Jesus Christ returns.

Our History

On Sunday, October 4, 1936, 225 loyal followers of Jesus Christ left the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. at a time when many of the denominational leaders were departing from historic biblical and presbyterian beliefs. This group, under the leadership of Dr. Robert Strong, met for three years in the American Legion Hall in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. During this time, the church incorporated as Calvary Presbyterian Church, and found a denominational home with the newly formed Orthodox Presbyterian Church. In 1939, the first building on the present property was dedicated.

Dr. Richard W. Gray served as the second pastor from 1949-1973. Dr. Gray led the church into the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod (RPCES), in 1964. As the church grew, a new educational building and sanctuary were completed in 1970.

In 1975, Rev. George W. Smith, a former assistant under Dr. Gray, was called as the third pastor. In 1983, the RPCES joined with the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA).

In 1984, a fire destroyed the christian education building, but stopped short of the sanctuary. New facilities, including a gymnasium, were completed in 1986, Calvary’s fiftieth anniversary year.

1996 marked the 60th anniversary year. Rev. Smith retired as Senior Pastor after 21 years of faithful service. Rev. Richard Tyson was installed as our new Senior Pastor in July of 1996.

Calvary called Rev. Gregg MacDougall as Associate Pastor in December of 2000.

God as been faithful to Calvary over the years. Hundreds of people have been brought to Christ. Scores of missionaries and seminary students have worshiped here. Many of her sons and daughters have entered full-time Christian ministry. Many others have taken the love and truth of Christ into their spheres of influence with courage and great fruitfulness. As we enter a new and perilous millennium, we look to the past only to fuel our gratitude, while we look forward with our eyes fixed on Jesus, the past Author and future Perfecter of our faith.

Directions

Calvary is located at 405 N. Easton Road, Willow Grove, PA 19090.

215-659-0554

Directions From the PA Turnpike: Take Exit 27 (Willow Grove Interchange) and follow signs for Route 611 South (Easton Road). Proceed onto 611 South for approx. 1/2 mile to top of hill. Calvary Presbyterian Church is on the left.

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