Our history
Calvary Chapel Portsmouth has been meeting in South East Hampshire since the early 1990s.
From a home Bible study to today
1965
The first Calvary Chapel
Pastor Chuck Smith begins his ministry at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, in Southern California, with twenty-five people. In the late 1960s and early 1970s the church becomes home to groups of hippies and surfers in what was popularly known as the ‘Jesus Movement’, and gradually more Calvary Chapels are planted throughout America and internationally.
Early 1990s
A Bible study in a Hampshire home
Our founding pastor, Ron Matsen, comes from the USA to Britain to work with a local defence contractor. Although working for a secular employer, Ron’s real calling is to be a pastor and teacher, and he soon starts a small Bible study group in his home.
1990s
A church takes shape
With the encouragement of local evangelical pastors, Ron extends the work to a larger group meeting at a local school. Through his many years with Calvary in America he is able to call on old friends to come over and help establish the church. In the early days this gives the church an American feel, but as the membership grows and the Matsen family become absorbed into local life, things become more anglicised.
Over the years
Homes, schools, offices, a warehouse and the Hilton
The church meets in different premises in the Horndean, Waterlooville and Portsmouth area: in homes, schools, converted offices and a warehouse, and even in the local Hilton Hotel. Along the way it holds Bible teaching and FACT (Fellowship of Active Christian Thinkers) conferences, opportunities to encourage the wider Church of God.
September 2011
Ron’s time as pastor ends
The following year Ron and his family emigrate to New Zealand to take up new work for the Lord alongside the Bible teacher Dr Chuck Missler. Calvary Portsmouth is eternally indebted to Ron for his faithful leadership, during which many have grown in the knowledge of Jesus Christ as their Saviour and gone on to serve Him around the world.
January 2012
Barry Forder is appointed pastor
Following a long association with Calvary Portsmouth, Barry Forder is appointed as our pastor.
Today
Sundays at Barncroft Primary School, Havant
The church is devoted to a faithful verse-by-verse, chapter-by-chapter teaching of the Bible, and at Portsmouth we have been taught through the entire Book several times.
The Calvary Chapel movement
In 1965, Pastor Chuck Smith began his ministry at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa with just twenty-five people. From the beginning, Pastor Chuck welcomed all, young and old, without judgment, placing his emphasis on the teaching of the Word of God. His simple, yet sound, expositional biblical approach has helped millions better understand God’s Word.
With a sincere concern for the lost, Pastor Chuck and Kay Smith made room in the church and their home for a generation of hippies and surfers; generating a movement of the Holy Spirit that spread from the West Coast to the East Coast, and now, throughout the world.
What began as a small local church has now grown into an international ministry of over 1600 fellowships throughout the world, all in the last 40 years.