alvary Chapel is an evangelical[1][page needed] association of Christian churches. Calvary Chapel also maintains a number of radio stations around the world and operates many local Calvary Chapel Bible College programs. It presents itself as a “fellowship of churches” in contrast to a denomination[2][3] with over one thousand congregations worldwide.[4] Churches that affiliate with Calvary Chapel may use the name “Calvary Chapel” but need not do so.
Beginning in 1965 in Southern California, this fellowship of churches grew out of Chuck Smith’s Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. Doctrinally, Calvary Chapel is evangelical, dispensational, pretribulationist, and believes in the principle of sola scriptura.[5]
