Then and Now

Christian Fellowship from California to Warwick

Terry D'Amato Spencer
Posted 7/30/14

The Calvary Chapel Christian Fellowship, a non-denominational church, is one of the newer houses of worship that has found a home in Warwick. Cavalry Chapel was founded in California by Chuck Smith …

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Then and Now

Christian Fellowship from California to Warwick

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The Calvary Chapel Christian Fellowship, a non-denominational church, is one of the newer houses of worship that has found a home in Warwick. Cavalry Chapel was founded in California by Chuck Smith in the 20th century and is one of the successful, fast-growing churches in the western section of the United States. Smith’s Calvary Chapel started with a following of 20 people, and it has since expanded to include over a thousand churches. While the movement is most popular and well known in California, it is worldwide and growing.

Calvary Chapel in Rhode Island was started by Pastor Rich Chapman in 1990. Rich and his wife, Paula, felt the need to take the teachings of Chuck Smith to the East Coast. Like many new churches in the area, services were held at private homes at first and a Bible study group met at the Chapman home on Arnold Neck Road. As the number of worshipers increased, the group met at the Dickerson’s Boathouse restaurant, once known as Biff’s Cafe.

After fire destroyed the boathouse, the congregation met at the former VFW Knights of Columbus Hall on Post Road. From there, the ever-growing congregation met at various Warwick schools and now has its Sunday worship at Winman Junior High School.

The church places a great deal of emphasis on the fact that all are welcome to the Bible study classes at 474 Arnold Neck Road as well as to the Sunday worship at Winman Junior High School.

The largest standing portable church

in Warwick

The Calvary Chapel of Christian Fellowship, a non-denominational church started by Rich Chapman in 1990, has grown considerably over the last 24 years and is one of the fastest-growing congregations in Warwick. Much of the appeal of the church, according to the Statement of Faith found on the Internet, centers on their “...goal to model the simplicity of the early church, as described in Acts 2:42 ‘They devoted themselves to the apostles and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayer.’”

Pastor Chapman says the church includes a great deal of Christian fellowship and is a lot less formal than many churches. The Calvary Chapel believes Bible study is very important and seeks to teach the entire Bible, chapter by chapter, verse by verse.

Music plays a major part in the church and the pastor notes that the Bible is full of music. The services on Sundays include psalms and songs from David as well as contemporary hymns. He feels much of modern music is full or worship and the church uses material from such artists as Matt Redman and Chris Tomlin. Music also brings young people in the church to participate in the services. One of the younger members, Jonathan Dowiot, plays bass guitar and leads Sunday worship every fourth week. He also teaches 12-14-year-olds in Sunday school, coaches the softball team and is active in all areas of church fellowship. He has been a church member for 12 years and his wife, Heidi, is also a member. She is his helper in Sunday school and plays piano and sings every fourth Sunday.

Jonathan, who is doing independent studies on religious beginnings in New England, is very knowledgeable about his church. He is especially impressed with the fact that the church is autonomous and is less formal than many of the other Calvary Chapel groups. While Pastor Rich leads the church in worship services on Sunday, there are Bible studies, which stress back to basics and do not make the studies complicated. At these sessions all can ask questions to get a better understanding of the role of Calvary Chapel. Like Pastor Rich, he feels the church is very special and like a “big family.”

Women are very much involved in the Calvary Chapel. They take an active part in teaching Sunday school, have their own ministry and take a lead in the social activities of the church. All reach out to the community and recently hosted an outreach program with other churches, which featured feats of strength and worked in biblical and gospel messages. The affair took place at Winman Junior High and lasted five nights with over 1,000 people in attendance.

The stories of Warwick’s Houses of Worship will be continued.

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