God's work in Calvary Chapels began at Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa, California, which was founded by Pastor Chuck Smith. Pastor Chuck went home to be with the Lord in 2013. Pastor Chuck was one of the human instruments God used to bring about the "Jesus Movement" of the late 1960's and early 1970's. God has used the Calvary Chapel movement to start over 1200 churches in the United States and around the world.
South Hill Calvary Chapel started in Puyallup on June 14, 2001 to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the systematic proclamation of God's word. The church first met as a small Bible study at Mel Korum YMCA. Within a few months, on October 14th, Sunday services began at Ferrucci Junior High School. On March 17, 2002, the Lord opened up an opportunity for us to meet at the more permanent facility of the Cascade Christian Early Childhood Development Center.
Ron Sanchez was the founding pastor of the church. Ron was ordained as a Calvary Chapel pastor in 1992, and he was sent out to Puyallup as a church plant from Calvary Fellowship. Through the years, many saints have helped to establish a successful ministry. Mark Bethune and Phil Spagnolo joined the church in its infancy and were instrumental in the church's leadership.
South Hill Calvary Chapel had many years of fruitful ministry, and in January of 2015, South Hill Calvary Chapel changed its name to The Chapel Church. At that time, we felt strongly that the Lord told us, "Don't do church, be the church." Along this path to being the church, in 2017, the Lord directed our body to adopt several attributes of a healthy church through the support and ministry of 9Marks. By His divine grace, we are continually pursuing to "be the church".
The Chapel Chuch is now governed by the congregation and led by a group of Elders. Graciously, the Lord has raised up a team of like-minded people to further Jesus' work in the Puyallup area and beyond.
Ron served the church faithfuly for 17 years and retired in July of 2018. Stephen Brucker became The Chapel Church's second senior pastor in August of 2018. Stephen previously served as an associate pastor of The Branch in Corvalis, OR and was a resident at Hinson Baptist Church prior to joining The Chapel Church.
