Mt. Calvary was established in the South Shores area at 2055 S. Franklin Street by the Central Illinois District mission committee.
The dedication service and installation of the first pastor, the Rev. Raymond Stuckwisch, was held on December 5, 1954, with regular services to begin December 12.
The South Shores chapel was officially organized and named on March 3, 1955 with twenty-six (26) charter members listed on the Constitution.
Rev. Stuckwisch served the congregation until his release on July 22, 1959. The Rev. David Ebs was installed on March 27, 1960 and the membership increased to 125 plus 110 enrolled in Sunday School. Along with the member growth came the building of our educational unit and kitchen, which was dedicated on May 14, 2961. The Rev. Ebs was released in September 1965. The Rev. Wendell Peterson was installed on June 19, 1966 and served the congregation until October 1969.
The congregation was served by numerous pastors until January 24, 1971 when the Rev. Walter Lemmermann was installed as our fourth pastor. While Pastor Lemmermann was here we saw the April 15, 1973 groundbreaking for our new church with the completion and dedication on May 5, 1974. Pastor Lemmermann served the congregation until April 25, 1982.
The Rev. Richard Lindeman was installed May 1, 1983 and served the congregation until November 1986.
The Rev. Melvin Wesloh was installed June 28, 1987 and served the congregation until his retirement on August 1, 1997.
The Rev. Michael Damery began serving the congregation as its vicar in 1997. On August 2, 1998 he was ordained at Mt. Calvary and installed as its pastor. In 2006, we were blessed with an expanded and remodeled facility. While the building project began with a fire, God shone forth in the midst of what seemed to be a tragedy. Pastor Damery served the congregation until his retirement on August 16, 2017.
The Rev. Brett Hinrichs was installed on the same day, August 16, 2017.
Throughout the many chapters of Mt. Calvary's history, we have seen God's abundant hand of blessing in both good times and bad. We rejoice that the Lord remains at work among His people so that the Good News of God's forgiving love in Christ will continue to go out to the people of Decatur and the surrounding communities.
The dedication service and installation of the first pastor, the Rev. Raymond Stuckwisch, was held on December 5, 1954, with regular services to begin December 12.
The South Shores chapel was officially organized and named on March 3, 1955 with twenty-six (26) charter members listed on the Constitution.
Rev. Stuckwisch served the congregation until his release on July 22, 1959. The Rev. David Ebs was installed on March 27, 1960 and the membership increased to 125 plus 110 enrolled in Sunday School. Along with the member growth came the building of our educational unit and kitchen, which was dedicated on May 14, 2961. The Rev. Ebs was released in September 1965. The Rev. Wendell Peterson was installed on June 19, 1966 and served the congregation until October 1969.
The congregation was served by numerous pastors until January 24, 1971 when the Rev. Walter Lemmermann was installed as our fourth pastor. While Pastor Lemmermann was here we saw the April 15, 1973 groundbreaking for our new church with the completion and dedication on May 5, 1974. Pastor Lemmermann served the congregation until April 25, 1982.
The Rev. Richard Lindeman was installed May 1, 1983 and served the congregation until November 1986.
The Rev. Melvin Wesloh was installed June 28, 1987 and served the congregation until his retirement on August 1, 1997.
The Rev. Michael Damery began serving the congregation as its vicar in 1997. On August 2, 1998 he was ordained at Mt. Calvary and installed as its pastor. In 2006, we were blessed with an expanded and remodeled facility. While the building project began with a fire, God shone forth in the midst of what seemed to be a tragedy. Pastor Damery served the congregation until his retirement on August 16, 2017.
The Rev. Brett Hinrichs was installed on the same day, August 16, 2017.
Throughout the many chapters of Mt. Calvary's history, we have seen God's abundant hand of blessing in both good times and bad. We rejoice that the Lord remains at work among His people so that the Good News of God's forgiving love in Christ will continue to go out to the people of Decatur and the surrounding communities.