Calvary Baptist Church had its beginning in the nearby community of Botna. Services were held in the building formerly owned and used by the United Brethern Church, but which had been closed for many years. The building was renovated with the help of many from the Botna area.

The present pastor, Rev. Louis H. Miller, with his wife and daughters, came to Botna in the summer of 1953 and held Daily Vacation Bible School for two weeks. In the summer of 1954 they again came to hold Bible School, and felt led by the Lord to begin regular church services, remaining on the field the rest of that summer. In the fall Rev. Miller, then a student at Omaha Baptist Bible Institute, returned to Omaha to resume his studies, driving back to Botna for services each weekend. He continued this until his graduation in the spring of 1955, when he and his family moved to Botna to assume a full time ministry.

The church was organized as an independent Baptist Church in February, 1956, with a charter membership of eight members. The church became associated with the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches and the American Council of Christian Churches.

Pastors succeeding Rev. Miller in Botna were Rev. Wayne Vieman and Rev. George L. Smith.

The ministry was continued in Botna until 1963, when the former Zion Lutheran building on Second Street was purchased. The first worship service in Manning was held on June 16, 1963, with Rev. Wilburn Hon as pastor. After his resignation, the church was served for a short time by Kenneth Blue, a student at Omaha Baptist Bible College. Rev. J. L. Williams then served as pastor for a number of years.

After serving pastorates in Floris and Belmond, Iowa, and for a number of years as camp director at the Iowa Regular Baptist Camp, Clear Lake, Rev. Miller accepted the call to return as pastor in Manning in 1976.