[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 68 (Thursday, April 20, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E516]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            COMMEMORATING CALVARY TEMPLE'S 100TH ANNIVERSARY

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. CHARLES W. DENT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 20, 2017

  Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I have the privilege of recognizing Calvary 
Temple in Allentown, Pennsylvania on the occasion of its 100th 
anniversary. During the last century, Calvary Temple has served as a 
place of spiritual enlightenment and refuge to the City of Allentown 
and the surrounding Lehigh Valley.
  Calvary Temple began in 1917 as an informal gathering of 12 believers 
who met in one another's houses to pray for the salvation of close 
friends and family members. Led by layman Edwin C. Conrad from the 12th 
Street Baptist Church of Allentown, the group devoted itself to 
building a new meeting space that could accommodate their growing 
attendance numbers. By 1922, a ground-breaking was held for the new 
building, and the group officially deemed their organization the 
Pentecostal Prayer Band--Assembly of God.
  The church wasted no time in establishing ministries, both locally 
and internationally. Sister Mary Lindberg became the church's 
representative in India, establishing missionary outreach, which 
continues to this day. In Allentown, the church began to work with the 
elderly and inmates at the Lehigh County Prison. Additionally, 
baptismal services for new members were held at Jordan Park in the 
nearby river. In the following decades, despite initial hardships, the 
church continued to devise creative ways of ministering to the 
surrounding community, including radio and television broadcasts, an 
annual summer camp, and eventually, Allentown Christian School. 
Finally, after a number of name changes, the church adopted the name 
Calvary Temple, and ultimately decided to withdraw from the Assemblies 
of God in order to become a self-governing, non-denominational body of 
believers.
  Today, Calvary Temple remains a beacon of innovation and community 
service in its current location. In addition to its four Sunday 
services, the church hosts small group ministries across the Lehigh 
Valley throughout the week, and they remain a dedicated and hospitable 
presence in Allentown.
  It is with the utmost respect and appreciation that I ask the House 
to join me in offering well wishes and congratulations to the men and 
women of Calvary Temple. May the next century bring about continued 
congregational growth and meaningful outreach to the Lehigh Valley.

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