Ten years ago, what began as a humble prayer meeting and Bible study in a living room in the Country Club Hills community of Newnan, Georgia, has blossomed into a thriving church family. Today, Calvary Chapel Newnan stands as a testament to both God’s faithfulness and the perseverance and power of community.
The Beginnings
The story of Calvary Chapel Newnan traces back to a small group of believers gathering in a home off US-29 North. Around the same time, the church’s founding pastor attended a Pastor’s Conference at a Calvary Chapel in Stone Mountain, Georgia. It was there that he felt God’s clear calling to plant a Calvary Chapel church in Newnan.
The Calvary Chapel movement itself has a rich history. It began in 1965 in Costa Mesa, California, when Pastor Chuck Smith was led to reach out to the countercultural “hippy” generation. What started as a small church grew into a global movement as young people came to Christ, felt called to ministry, and began planting churches. Calvary Chapel churches are known for their Spirit-filled worship, emphasis on verse-by-verse expository Bible teaching, and a commitment to fostering deep, personal relationships with Jesus.
From Living Room to Church Building
After the pastor shared his vision with the Bible study group, most members decided to join the new work. The fellowship moved from a living room to a small church building nearby, where they met for the first four years. Though the space could only seat 100 people, the church grew steadily, eventually requiring two services to accommodate everyone.
In 2018, after two years of prayer, God provided a larger facility on Savannah Street—the former Goza Motors building. This location served as the church’s home for nearly three years, even through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the church to temporarily close and restart almost from scratch.
Trials and Triumphs
Just as the church was regaining its footing in March 2021, an EF4 tornado struck downtown Newnan, displacing the congregation two days before Palm Sunday. Undeterred, the church adapted, holding services via livestream and later meeting in the Madras Middle School gym and Elm Street Elementary School cafeteria. For three and a half years, the church operated as a “mobile church,” setting up and tearing down each Sunday. Despite the challenges, the congregation continued to grow, eventually adding a second service in January 2023.
A Permanent Home
Throughout this time, the church prayed and saved for a permanent home. After two failed property contracts, God opened an unexpected door in the summer of 2024. The pastor noticed renovations at a building near the church’s office space in the Calumet Business Park. After striking up a conversation with the owner—a former pastor—the two formed an instant connection. Following a weekend of prayer, the owner felt led to sell the building to Calvary Chapel Newnan.
By the end of September, the church had closed on the property at 210 Jefferson Parkway. After months of renovations, including plumbing, electrical work, and cosmetic upgrades, the church held its first service in the new building on Christmas Eve 2024. Since then the congregation has celebrated five Sunday services in their new home, marking a new chapter in the church’s story.
Looking Ahead
Calvary Chapel Newnan is excited to continue its mission of teaching the Bible verse by verse, fostering community, and reaching the lost. The church now holds two services on Sundays at 9:00 A.M. and 11:00 A. M., with Calvary Kids ministry available at both services.
The church invites the community to join them in celebrating this milestone and to learn more about their mission by visiting their website at www.calvarynewnan.org. Photos from their first Christmas Eve service in the new building can be viewed here.
As Calvary Chapel Newnan enters its second decade, the church remains committed to its founding principles: teaching God’s Word, loving people, and trusting in His provision. The journey has been marked by challenges, but through it all, God has been faithful—and the best is yet to come.
For more information, visit www.calvarynewnan.org or join us for worship at 210 Jefferson Parkway, Newnan, Georgia.
