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Rugby’s Calvary Evangelical Free Church to celebrate 25th anniversary

By Staff | Jun 19, 2009

Twenty-five years ago three Rugby couples established a new church here, and on Sunday, June 28 Calvary Evangelical Free Church will celebrate a quarter century of existence.

The couples, Steve and Renae Dockter, Mark and Kathy Vangsnes, and Bob and Deb Schmaltz, were part of a Bible study group of several couples which had met for several months. The three couples decided to start a church and became associated with the Evangelical Free Church of America.

The church will hold a special 25th anniversary service on June 28 at 1:30 p.m., with the district superintendent and former pastors and parishioners in attendance. Following the service there will be a time of fellowship with coffee and cake served.

The first services were held in the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church building, which was located north of St. Paul Lutheran Church. The church had not been used for some time. When they held their first service on May 20, 1984, the small congregation had not decided on a name for the church.

About 20 years ago the congregation purchased the former ASCS building on 4th Street Southwest, north of Dakota Prairie Supply. The church outgrew that facility, and a beautiful new sanctuary was added on five years ago.

Several pastors filled the pulpit during the first year, and in June of 1985 Bill Culbertson accepted a call to Calvary Evangelical. He served until August of 1991. Paul Rathke served the congregation from August 1992 until June 2000; Steve Cooper from August 2001 until October 2005. Scott Hershey, the current pastor. has served the congregation since January of 2007.

Around 100 people call Calvary Evangelical their church home. The church also sponsors the local AWANA program, which provides Bible training for 60-80 local children.