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Calvary Fellowship of Willimantic

2 Birch Street
(860) 335-1198

We are a church plant from Calvary Chapel in Uncasville, CT

Location: 2 Birch Street, Willimantic, CT 06226


Since we are associated with the Calvary Chapel body we are in agreement with the tenants below as described on the Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa website http://www.calvarychapelcostamesa.com/new/about-us/ 


We believe that there is one living and true GOD, eternally existing in three persons: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, equal in power and glory; that this triune God created all, upholds all, and governs all things. (Genesis 1:1; Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 44:8 and 48:16; Matthew 28:19-20; John 10:30; Hebrews 1:3).

We believe that the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, fully inspired without error and the infallible rule of faith and practice. The Word of God is the foundation upon which this church operates and is the basis for which this church is governed. We believe that the Word of God supersedes any earthly law that is contrary to the Holy Scriptures. We believe that the King James Version of the Bible is the most accurate translation from the original ancient text. It is from this translation that we establish our doctrine and Statement of Faith. (Isaiah 28:13; Nehemiah 8:8; John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12; 1 Peter 1:23-25; 2 Peter 1:3-4 and 1:21).

We believe in the person of God the Father, an infinite, eternal, personal Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love; that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men; that He hears and answers prayer; and that He saves from sin and death all those who come to Him through Jesus Christ. (Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalms 90:2; Psalms 102:27; John 3:16 and 4:24; 1 Timothy 1:17; Titus 1:3).

We believe in the person of Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles and teachings, his substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people and personal, visible return to earth. (Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2; Matthew 1:23; Mark 16:19; Luke 1:34-35; John 1:1-2, 8:58 and 11:25; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 1 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 1:8; 1 John 1:2; Revelation 1:8).

We believe in the person of the Holy Spirit, Who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify and empower for ministry all who believe in Christ; (Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 3:18; John 16:8-11; Romans 8:26 and 15:13,16; Hebrews 9:14).

We believe the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Jesus Christ and that He is an abiding helper, teacher, and guide. (John 6:13, 14:16-17 and 16:8-11; Romans 8:26).

We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and in the exercise of all Biblical gifts of the Spirit according to the instructions given to us in 1 Corinthians 12-14. (1 Corinthians 14)

We believe that all people are sinners by nature and, therefore, are under condemnation; that God saves and regenerates based upon faith by the Holy Spirit, those who repent of their sins and confess Jesus Christ as Lord. (Acts 8:15-17; Ephesians 2:1-3 and 8-9; Romans 3:23 and 5:8; Titus 3:5).

We believe in the universal church, the living spiritual body, of which Christ is the head and all who are born again are a part of the Body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Ephesians 4:15-16)

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ instituted two ordinances for the church: (a) full immersion water baptism of believers, and (b) the Lord's Supper. (Matthew 28:19; Luke 22:19-20; Acts 2:38; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26) We also believe that the Lord Jesus Christ validated the ordinance of marriage. (Matthew 19:4-5 and John 2:1-11)

We believe in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ which is His personal, visible return to earth and the establishment of His millennial kingdom, in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment and eternal blessing of the righteous and endless separation of the wicked. (Matthew 16:27; Acts 1:11; Revelation 19:11-16, 20:11-15)

We believe in the Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Church where all believers will meet the Lord in the air and be taken out of this world prior to the Tribulation that will come upon the earth. (Isaiah 26:20; Matthew 24:29-31; Luke 21:36; Romans 1:18, 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 4:13-16 and 5:9; 2 Peter 2:7-9; Revelation 3:10, 5:7-10 and 7:13-14)

We believe in a literal Heaven and a literal Hell and that all those who place their faith, hope and trust in Jesus Christ will spend eternity in Heaven with the Lord, while those who reject Jesus' free gift of salvation will spend eternity separated from the Lord. (Psalm 9:17; Matthew 5:3, 5:22, 18:9 and 25:31-34; Mark 9:42-49; Luke 12:5; John 3:18; Hebrews 12:23; 1 Peter 1:4; Revelation 14:10-11 and 20:11-15)


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A little history about Calvary Fellowship of Willimantic


Pastor Mike Caruso and his wife Liz came from Calvary Chapel Uncasville to start the ministry of Calvary Chapel Willimantic located at 776 Main Street.  Our dearly loved brother Mike had brain cancer and went to be with The Lord in October 2005.  Shortly after Pastor Mike died the landlord of 776 Main Street informed the people of Calvary Chapel that the building was up for sale.   In addition, the landlord was under pressure because Calvary Chapel was hosting the No Freeze Shelter which was not very popular in those days.   We also hosted an early morning AA meeting.  Some people were critical of the fact that homeless people and AA people were gathering on Main Street downtown.  In those days there was a push to create an arts & entertainment district for downtown.

Therefore, under the threat that the building at 776 Main Street was going to be sold to a new owner that was unsympathic to our ministry we began to look for another building.  After looking at several buildings in the area, one particular building stood out.  It was 2 Birch Street, Willimantic.  There was a split of opinion among the body at Calvary Chapel as to whether 2 Birch Street was feasible.  One by one people began to leave Calvary Chapel.  Sadly, after a couple of years after Pastor Mike's death, Calvary Chapel Willimantic no longer existed.


A new chapter began with Calvary Chapel Willimantic as John Powell followed God's calling for Willimantic by having a Bible study and Sunday services in his home and later at the No Freeze Shelter across from Memorial Park on Main Street.  The new church was called Calvary Fellowship under the covering of Calvary Chapel Uncasville.  Calvary Fellowship Willimantic bagan Sunday services at 2 Birch Street in June 2012.  God continues to add amazing chapters to this ministry for His glory.