Our History

In March 1989, John and LeeEtta Hornbeck arrived in the Aviano, Italy area to start Calvary Baptist Church.

On July 16, 1989, Pastor Hornbeck opened the doors of Calvary Baptist Church in the town of San Cassiano di Brugnera with 15 people in attendance. During that service a young man named, Jay Haughton, accepted Jesus Christ as his Saviour. 

Because of the need for more space for church services, in January 1990, Pastor Hornbeck moved Calvary Baptist Church to Marsure, Italy.

In November 1994, the Hornbecks moved back to the United States. Between November 1994 and February 2001, Pastors Pat Creed, Gary Tingen and Mike Hearell pastored Calvary Baptist Church.



On February 4, 2001, Matthew Olsen became the Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church and pastored the church for 10 years. In May 2011, the Olsens returned to the United States and between May 2011 and July 2012 Pastors Roy Smith, Steve Nutt, and D.O. Van Dyne pastored Calvary Baptist Church. 

In July of 2012, Daniel Norton, a missionary called to the country of Slovenia, agreed to be a short term, interim pastor for Calvary Baptist Church. In August of 2012, God spoke to Pastor Chris War, who at the time was pastoring Freedom Independent Baptist Church located in Atlantic Beach, FL, about going to Aviano, Italy to Pastor Calvary Baptist Church.

In May 2013, Pastor War came to Aviano to candidate to become the pastor of Calvary Baptist Church and received 100% of the vote of church member to be their pastor. Pastor War went back to the United States to raise needed support to move to and live in Italy as a Missionary. In January 2014, the Wars arrived in Italy. In October of 2020, Pastor War moved Calvary Baptist Church to its present location at Via Berengario I, #19 Marsure, Italy 33081.