The original CALVARY CHURCH was organized on September 7, 1943, and held their first meeting on September 26 under the leadership of Pastor William Sempey. Three years later the group disbanded and reorganized as a Baptist church.

The CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH of Reno, Nevada, was organized on April 28, 1946, with the assistance of Rev. Gerald May from the Western Baptist Home Mission. The deed for the property of the earlier church, located at 28 Thoma Street, was transferred to the new church. It was also decided to enter the fellowship of the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches. The first pastor of this new church was Rev. Joseph Geddes, who came at a salary of $175.00 per month plus a parsonage.

In 1958, under the leadership of Pastor Herbert Farrar, one and three-fourths acres of land were purchased at the corner of Harvard Way and Plumb Lane to relocate the church. Ground was broken for the new building in February, 1959, and the new church facilities were erected. Cost of the land was $7,000.00, cost of the street improvements, curb, sewer, sidewalk, etc., was $5,856.50, and the dollar cost of the building was $50,000.00. On Sunday, March 27, 1960, the dedication of the new building was held with Dr. H. O. VanGilder, President of Western Baptist Bible College, giving the dedicatory address.

The church has always emphasized reaching out to the community, especially to children, and in 1969 this effort was formalized with the establishment of a bus ministry. Pastor David Douglass attended a church bus ministry seminar and returned to organize this ministry in the church, which has continued off and on since that time.

In 1973, also under the leadership of Pastor Douglass, Calvary Baptist Church School began with the enrollment of five pre-schoolers. On July 10, 1974, there was church action to commence plans for a new Christian Education wing, and on March 17, 1976, the church voted to assume a bond program of $75,000.00 to $80,000.00 to “finish the new building quickly.” On September 10, 1978, the new wing was dedicated and named “Heidenreich Hall” in memory of Henry and Minnie Heidenreich, who had made a sizable monetary contribution to the project The enrollment of the school increased as grades were added, and in September, 1978, classes began in Heidenreich Hall with students in pre-school through ninth grade.

Also, in 1978, Pastor John Raney led the church in updating the auditorium, purchasing the pews and installing the paneling and carpeting.

In September of 1990, a parcel of land in Washoe Valley was bequeathed to the church upon the death of Henry Heidenreich. This portion of their ranch totaled 489 acres, including the ranch house and several other buildings. In the summer of 1992, a children’s program was conducted at the ranch for two weeks, expanding the next year to a summer-long day camp program for children ages six through twelve.

The AWANA youth program was started in the fall of 1991, providing an activity for the grade school children, which has since expanded to include junior high and high school youth.

Also, in the early 1990’s, several other projects have been completed, including the repainting of the church, the construction of the kitchen and social hall in the education building, the new church office suite, the erection of the church sign, the replacement of the furnace in the auditorium with a new heating and air conditioning system, the installation of a sprinkler system, the planting of grass on the playground, the new playground equipment and the remodeling of the auditorium.

In 1996, the church observed its 50th anniversary on October 13th by inviting Herbert Farrar to speak.

The 2000's church building second half was remodeled. This included the bathrooms, nursery, office space, a new hallway, and entrance that opens directly into the parking lot. No more walking around the building to get into the building.

Shortly thereafter, the parking lot was torn out completely, proper base with drainage put in, the parking lot was then surfaced and striped.

In June of 2002 the ranch house and garage were destroyed by fire. Pastor Wes Hunter and his wife, Carolyn, were just arriving home so the two cars were not damaged. The dog and a computer were the only things saved from the house.

Due to the difficulties the church was having in setting up a permanent camping program at the Ranch, it was decided to use part of the insurance settlement to pay off the loan on the church. Part of the ranch is still being leased to the neighbor for grazing cows.

In 2003, the church voted to transfer the sponsorship of CBC School to South Reno Baptist Church. The school's name was changed to Safe Harbor Christian School and will continue to be in the educational building until South Reno Baptist is finished building their educational building.

In the fall of 2003, Pastor Wes Hunter resigned as pastor, taking a pastor position in Wanachee, Washington. During the next year or so, the church looked for a new pastor while continuing to grow spiritually.

Pastor Fred Jordan was called to be the pastor in January of 2005. His first day as pastor was Feburary 27, 2005.

As we keep the records of the development of the property and programs of the church, God focuses on the ministry to the people of His church. In His record books are those who have heard the gospel and received salvation, those who have been obedient in baptism and continued faithful in service, those who have honored Him by learning His Word and following its instructions, making decisions in their Christian lives to be obedient to Him, and those who have gone from this church to serve Him faithfully in other places.

As in every area of life, sin and Satan may strive to attack to lead us astray and compromise our spiritual effectiveness, yet God proves Himself faithful over and over again in continuing to bless and protect and preserve His people so that we may have the opportunities to thank and praise Him and that He may be honored and glorified.