The Bellmead Calvary Baptist Church was organized in August of 1953 with eight Charter Members as a result of the tireless efforts of Rev. Sullivan G. Wallis.  The church first met in a large eight-bedroom house on the corner of LaVega and Bellmead Dr.  After a month, the owner sold the house, and the church moved across Bellmead Dr. and rented an old washateria.  It was there that Bro. Wallis organized the Calvary Baptist Church of Bellmead.

Bro. Wallis and his wife began knocking on doors, putting in many hours of labor, and many hours of prayer.  Many members who are presently a part of the church give testimony of their salvation as a direct result of a visit from Bro. Wallis.  In the twenty-two years that Bro. Wallis pastored this church, many souls have come to know Christ.

The church was able to purchase property on the corner of Latimer and Fisher streets.  A building was built on that property in 1953.  The church flourished under the dedicated leadership of Bro. Wallis.  After his retirement, the church called Rev. Gene Wolfenbarger as pastor.  His resignation in 1976 prompted the church to begin a search for a new pastor.  That search culminated with the calling of Rev. James G. Adams as the church’s third pastor in February 1977.

Bro. Jimmy (as he is fondly referred to) is a native of Waco, born there on June 17, 1944.  At age 16, he received Christ as Saviour while attending a Youth For Christ Rally in August 1960.  He was baptized at the Parkview Baptist Church.  It was there in January 1961, under the ministry of Pastor Everett Cox, that Bro. Jimmy surrendered to the ministry.

Bro. Jimmy graduated from Waco High School in May 1963 and began his ministerial studies that same year at Tennessee Temple University in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  He married his childhood sweetheart, the former Miss Patricia Shelton, in June 1965.  They have three sons and 10 grandchildren.

Upon graduating with a B. A. degree in 1968, Bro. Jimmy and his family began a 7-year ministry in Guadalajara, Mexico serving with Baptist International Missions, Inc.  Returning to the U. S. in late 1975, Bro. Jimmy served as the associate pastor of his home church and administrator of their Christian school.  He also served on the faculty of the Liberty Bible College.  He holds a Doctor of Theology degree from that institution.

The church grew under Bro. Jimmy’s ministry to the point that adjacent property was acquired in 1977 and again in 1978.  Construction of a new sanctuary seating 500 with nurseries and educational space was begun in 1978 and completed in 1979.  The educational wing was expanded in 1982 with a second story addition to accommodate the growing needs of the congregation.

On May 10, 1987, after much prayer the church voted to purchase an 18-acre site on Loop 340, approximately two miles from the original location.  The purchase followed in June of that same year with final payment being made in July 1990.  Plans were made and construction on the first phase of a larger facility began in December 1995.  The new building was dedicated in August 1997.  The men of our church, who were also assisted for two weeks by the Texas Baptist Men, did much of the work.  Phase one included a new sanctuary seating 800, much needed educational space, offices, and parking.  Two additional phases are planned for the future.

The main desire and purpose of Bellmead Calvary Baptist Church is, as it was in 1953, to fulfill the Great Commission: win people to Christ, see them baptized, and taught God’s Word.