Who We Are

     Our story isn't one born out of some great tragedy or life-changing event.  Our story didn't make headlines in the newspapers. Our story is however, a story of 60 years of watching the faithfulness of an Almighty God work through the hearts and lives of ordinary people, to see His work get accomplished in the Pass Area. 

     In 1952, a small group of people gathered for the first time as a church family.  They met in a small building near downtown Banning and by the guidance of God, Calvary Baptist Church was started.  Over the years that church began to grow and God continued to bless.  People were finding that this new church in Banning was a place to come, feel welcomed, find friends, and hear from God and His Word.  

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     Over the years, a few men have pastored our church, serving faithfully to the church family and community.  After a relocation and a name change, Calvary Baptist Church was now called Mountain Avenue Baptist Church and had moved from that old building downtown to a new sprawling campus on Mountain Avenue, where the church meets today. In 1980, under the leadership of former pastor, Pastor Beagle, Calvary Christian School began, keeping the namesake of the original church.  This growing ministry of the church has now been in operation for over 40 years, educating thousands of children in a God-centered environment.   Calvary Christian School now has a student body of over 300 students. 

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     In 2004, Mountain Avenue Baptist Church found itself without a pastor.  Through the leading of the Holy Spirit, God led Pastor   Rich Szydlowski and his family to Moutain Avenue to become the new pastor.  For the past 18 years, Pastor Szydlowski has led Mountain Avenue Baptist Church with a faithful servant's heart, with a strong desire to see the people of Banning, Beaumont, and the Pass Area know about the loving grace of God.

 

    Mountain Avenue Baptist now is embarking on a new era of ministry.  By the direction of God and His leading, we are endeavoring to build a new 10,000-square-foot building for His glory!  This new building will be home to our auditorium for our Sunday and Wednesday services, as well as a gymnasium for our school and church ministries to use.  The new building will have 6 new classrooms, a new nursery and toddler space for young children to grow, as well as needed fellowship space.