Our History

Calvary Baptist Church in Moreno Valley began in the summer of 1989. We met in the Rosy Posy Floral Shop located on Sunnymead Blvd. Brother Joe Penrod, his wife Barbara and daughter Stephanie along with their friends who owned the floral shop started our little church. We met there until we outgrew the facility and moved to the Victoriano Elementary School in March 1990. We had a membership of probably 25-30 at this time, but had out grown the shop.

We grew with the help of the Calvary Baptist Church in Yorba Linda. We reached out in faith and purchased some property on Eucalyptus Street. The church in Yorba Linda supported us for at least two years. Pastor Joe and his dear friend, Pastor Richard Cunningham did all they could to develop our growing church while at this location. Many hours were spent before our city councilmen and women who just had their minds set against any new churches being built in this city. To the best of my memory I think we moved to this location in April of 1993. 

It was during this time that our beloved Pastor became so very ill and then in November of 1994 Joe Penrod went home to be with the Lord. This was just six months after his dear wife had her own battle with cancer. Our church family went through another loss as Barbara felt she needed to leave and moved away from CA to Tenn. She would now be near her son and his family. 

During the next few months while we were waiting on the Cunningham's to come, we were blessed by having Paul's brother Phil and their father come and teach our church and hold us together. To this day it is such a blessing to have either of them fill in during Paul's absence and teach us.

After Pastor Penrod passed away we went through some very difficult times in the church. Much grieving and other problems caused some of our members to go in different directions looking for guidance. We were waiting on Pastor Paul, Kim and their family to come on our call to pastor our church. They joined us on Mother's Day 1995. 

With so many burdens and problems we looked for strength and growth and reached out to a congregation who needed us much in the way we needed them. This was The Corner Stone Baptist Church. We joined together and started meeting with them at the Palm Middle School. This took place on Feb.1, 1997. 

After the pastor of Corner Stone moved to another church in another state we once again became Calvary Baptist Church. We grew as a church and needed another place to worship. Our rent was going to be increased at the school and we needed a place to worship where we had more control of when we could meet and how long we could meet, etc., so, we once more reached out in faith and looked for a new meeting place. Our present facility became our new home in October of 2000.

Again we experienced the blessing of growth and started having two Sunday morning services. It was not long until we realized that now we needed a larger facility so after much prayer and guidance we have purchased another building just next door that will soon become our new church home. 

Memories by: 
Ann Paul – Charter member, Calvary Baptist Church