Learn about Calvary's rich history!
In 2007, we celebrated our 40th anniversary.
In 1966, Ruskin was little more than a sleepy farming community in South Hillsborough County. Apollo Beach was less than ten years old. A small group of faithful and dedicated people diligently pursued the development of a Lutheran Church. Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church began in 1966 as a mission of the Lutheran Church in America, meeting in Lewers Funeral Home in Ruskin. They officially began as a congregation on November 19, 1967 with 61 charter members.

On December 8, 1967, the congregation purchased our current property, four and one-half acres, for $30.000.00. The groundbreaking service was held November 30, 1969 and the church was dedicated on February 14, 1971. The Rev. Norman E. Kieffer served as the first pastor-developer until his retirement in December, 1971. The day of the groundbreaking a man drove by and observed the festivities, stopped and gave the new group $200.00 to help build the church.

On July 23, 1972, the Rev. J Gordon Perry was installed as pastor and served until late 1977. On February 5, 1978 the Rev. Theodore Pelikan was installed, also called pastor-developer of a new new mission start in Sun City Center. In February 1981, when Redeemer Lutheran Church formally organized and called a new pastor, Pastor Pelikan accepted another call.

The Reverend Kenneth A. Comstock accepted his first call and was installed Oct. 11, 1981. The following year, at Calvary’s 15th Anniversary Celebration, the mortgage on the church was burned. In 1983, bonds were sold to members to build a multi-purpose wing to serve as a fellowship hall and education space. Members did much of the work. Pews were installed in the Sanctuary at the same time.

On Jan. 1, 1988, Calvary became a congregation of the newly formed Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA). In May 1989, Pastor Comstock accepted a call to a church in Wisconsin and in August of that same year, Rev. Robert C. Barger (Pastor Rick) was installed.

The community began to experience growth and so did Calvary. As Calvary grew, so did their needs and blessings. During that time, Calvary sponsored two interns from Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Mrs. Annette Crickenberger (1991) and Mr. Douglas Hill (1992.) By then the congregation had grown to 400 members and Calvary was rapidly running out of space. A second Sunday worship service was added, but it offered little relief from the overcrowding. To help relieve the situation a new sanctuary was built in 1993, adding offices, work areas, restrooms, additional education space, and a new kitchen. The former sanctuary was converted into the current fellowship hall. The first Sunday in the new sanctuary was Pastor Rick’s final service as he accepted a call to Littleton, Colorado. During the call process for a new pastor, Rev. John Siedem served as the interim pastor and later, became Calvary’s part-time Associate Pastor for a period of ten years.

Rev. Jack R. Palzer became Calvary’s 6th pastor in March, 1994.  During this time rapid growth continued.  Saturday night worship was added for the winter months and a third Sunday worship service was added in 2003, contemporary in style.  In 1998, because there wasn’t a way to build additional space at the current location, the congregation began searching for a new site, finally, in 2004, purchasing almost 25 acres on College Avenue (SR 674) in Ruskin to build a new Mission Center.  On the property that same year the Angel Attic Thrift Store and Community Cupboard food pantry opened on the property to serve the community.  Currently the plans for Phase One continue and the congregation hopes to move into a new facility in 2009.  The current location is under contract for sale, but we can remain in the building until the new building is completed.
With the congregation growing the need for additional staffing was realized.  Rev. David Allman was called to Calvary in February, 2006.  He has since left to pursue other opportunities.   
As the congregation marked its 40th anniversary in 2007, the entire year was  apart of our “Celebrates the Journey” theme.  We renewed memories and were reminded to give thanks for how richly God has “blessed them to be a blessing”.