The congregation at Calvary Lutheran Church years ago began looking at relocating its church facility and in 2010 an exploratory team at Calvary recommended the congregation purchase a 5-acre plot of land on Hwy. 55 between the Dove International building and the Super 8. 

With that purchase began Calvary’s dream of having a facility with more room, handicap accessibility, parking and better visibility. Yet, accomplishing this goal took a lot of time, fundraising and prayer. A change in minister and year-long vacancy slowed the progress, it was stated recently by current pastor Mark Kahrs.

In 2017, a new building committee was formed and began designing a building for the property which had been purchased. During this work, an opportunity was presented to purchase a different building on Hwy. 55, the building currently occupied by Kingdom Kids. So, in 2019 Calvary began serious discussion on this option. Then came 2020, which had its own challenges due to the pandemic. Once things began to open up again, Calvary signed a “First Right of Refusal” document as they continued their discussions.

Finally, at a “voters’ meeting” in October of 2021, the voters of Calvary decided to go forward with that purchase. Kingdom Kids was still under a lease to occupy the building through September of 2022. Calvary wanted to honor that contract and make sure the families of the community were not left without childcare, so the closing date for purchase was set for October of 2022, said Kahrs.   During this time, Calvary also sold the land they had previously bought to help with their purchase.

According to Kahrs, it was on October 7 of this year, Calvary was pleased to announce they were able to close on the new facility and were excited for the opportunities it would bring for worship and in the community. 

Kingdom Kids Child Care Center asked for an extension of their occupancy in the building as they continued to fundraise and make plans for their own purchase and expansion of its child care center. 

“Calvary granted the extension to June of 2023 while still looking ahead excitedly to moving into the new location.” Kahrs explained.  

Until that time, Calvary will continue to hold services at its current facility on 2nd St. SE in Glenwood. “We thank everyone who has helped and prayed for us during this process…” he said.