It all began in 1969 when the Lord laid on the heart of our founding chairman Rev Dr Tow Siang Hwa a burden to begin a church in Jurong to cater to the needs of the rapidly growing population in the western part of Singapore. In 1969, Jurong Town was a bustling new development. Everywhere, factories and high-rise apartments were soaring, but there was not a church in sight. One Friday afternoon, whilst on a visit to Jurong with Rev Philip Heng of Galilee B-P Church, God gave him a vision of “human beehives” which brought to his mind the Lord’s words, “Lift up your eyes and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest” (John 4:35). 

Reporting back to the Session of Life B-P Church where he was then an elder, the matter received enthusiastic support. Application was made and approved by the relevant authority. A lease on 24,000 square feet of land at the junction of Tao Ching Road and Corporation Drive was granted in 1970. Building of a church complex was competed in 1972 and Calvary Bible-Presbyterian Church was inaugurated on New Year’s Day, 1973. 

However, prior to the commencement of worship services in 1973, Rev James Chan had already started Sunday evening Bible study classes at the home of Mr & Mrs Lai, an Indonesian couple. Rev Chan recalls; “I came to Taman Jurong in 1971 with the conviction that the Lord wanted me to start His work. At the same time, I heard that a team from Life B-P Church, under the leadership of Dr SH Tow had caught the vision of coming to Jurong. I was glad and joined them to advance the Gospel in Jurong. I got a flat at 20G Block 118 Corporation Drive and commenced in March 1971”. On the 20th of March, 1971, a Bible Club was initiated in Rev Chan’s apartment. Some of the members of that pioneer group who are still with us include Dn Stephen Lai and Bro Michael Lim. Later, this Bible Club gave birth to the Sunday School with the help of some faithful young people from Life B-P Church. 

In August 1972, Rev Philip Heng of Galilee B-P Church was appointed as our part-time pastor. He saw to the final preparation before worship services began the first Sunday of January 1973. At that time, there were only 34 worshippers which comprised mainly young people from Taman Jurong and some members of Life and other B-P churches. With great joy, they worshipped the Lord in the new sanctuary. 

The Lord was faithful and brought in many worshippers. As the number of Mandarin-speaking worshippers increased, the session felt the need to have a proper Mandarin Worship Service for them. By God’s grace, the Calvary Mandarin Worship Service was inaugurated on 3rd of September, 1974. 

As the church population continued to grow rapidly, we soon faced the happy problem of overcrowding. After much prayer, the leaders launched out again in search of a new site and in 1979, Calvary Bible-Presbyterian Church expanded with the addition of a new ‘branch’ at 201 Pandan Gardens. After the Pandan building was completed, approximately a third of the Calvary congregation moved to Pandan. At about the same time, Rev Philip Heng who was shared between us and Galilee B-P church resigned to return to Galilee as their full-time pastor. He was succeeded by Rev Edward Paauwe who was then a lecturer and Dean of the Far Eastern Bible College. He was with us for about three years before handing over the reins to Rev Chan who by God’s grace continued to shepherd us for the next two decades or so.