History of
Calvary Chapel Long Beach
Long Beach California… What can you say about the third largest city in the Southern California area? Long Beach has been a long time playground for the people, a cultural hotspot and a diverse community of various cultures. In fact, according to statistics, the Los Angeles and Long Beach areas are the most diverse in America. With all of its beauty and diversity, Long Beach is still a spiritual wasteland in desperate need of Jesus Christ.
In 1985, the call of God to Pastor Roger was clear, “Start a Calvary Chapel in the City of Long Beach.” The verse God gave Pastor Roger as confirmation to start the fellowship was Acts 18:9-10, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.” So in November of the same year, Pastor Roger and Diane, his wife, opened up their home for an informal Wednesday Night Bible study. It was very evident that God’s hand was on the home study. With the blessing of Pastor Chuck of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, the small fellowship was incorporated as Calvary Chapel of Long Beach in January of 1986.
As the Word of God was faithfully taught and as the saints grew in the knowledge and grace of God, so did the Church’s population. Calvary Chapel Long Beach has always been a “Tabernacle Church,” a church on the move within the City of Long Beach, a true church without walls!
From the summer of 1986 to June of 1988, CC Long Beach met at Mother’s Beach off of 2nd Street and Appian Way.
From June of 1988 to November of 2005, CC Long Beach met in the main auditorium of Stanford Middle School.
From November of 2005 to 2008, CC Long Beach met in four store-front properties off of Studebaker Road.
From 2008 to 2010, CC Long Beach rented a Baptist Church off of Wardlow Road.
From 2010 to present day, Calvary Chapel Long Beach has been meeting in the main auditorium of Marshall Academy of the Arts on Wardlow Road and Woodruff Avenue.
Through every location change, and every storm of life, Calvary Chapel Long Beach has remained strong and faithful to call of God within the City. Every week at Calvary Chapel Long Beach, the Word will be taught to the Saints, the Gospel will be preached to the lost, and Worship to God will be raised with thankful hearts. These things will be habitually practiced until the Lord Jesus Christ comes back for us and we see Him face to face.