there was a World War II navy ship named after Calvin College ( also one for Hope, Hillsdale, Albion, etc ) and it was built not far from Bellflower ! read below:
"Five of these ships took the names of members of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association: SS Alma Victory, SS Albion Victory, SS Hillsdale Victory, SS Hope Victory, and, of course, SS Calvin Victory.
Construction began on Calvin Victory on February 13, 1944, at the California Shipbuilding Corporation’s yard on Terminal Island near Los Angeles. By April 5, a Wednesday, it was ready to launch.
The day before, in the afternoon, Calvin alumni and friends in the area gathered at Second Christian Reformed Church in Bellflower where they had coffee and collected funds to contribute to the ship’s library. They then left for Terminal Island, arriving around 1:00 AM Wednesday morning. There they once again had coffee at a brief reception hosted by the company before ceremonies began at 1:45...
read more at
https://origins.calvin.edu/2025/12/09/the-ss-calvin-victory/
Synopsis: The SS Calvin Victory
The SS Calvin Victory was a World War II-era "Victory" ship—a vessel design superior to the standard Liberty ships—named after Calvin College (now Calvin University). Commissioned during the war, the ship was launched on April 5, 1944, at Terminal Island near Los Angeles. Its dedication ceremony included a significant gathering of alumni and friends at the Second Christian Reformed Church in Bellflower, California.
Following its wartime service, the ship transitioned into a vital humanitarian role. It was acquired by the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA) and operated by the "Seagoing Cowboys" of the Church of the Brethren. Between 1946 and 1947, the ship completed five relief missions, transporting thousands of cattle from the United States to war-torn regions, specifically Greece and Poland, to aid in post-war recovery. The ship was eventually renamed the Columbia Heights and continued delivering livestock to the Near East before its final retirement. Its career served as a tangible fulfillment of the hopes expressed during its 1944 dedication: that it would contribute to the welfare of man and promote peace among nations.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. — 1 Thessalonians 4:14 (KJV)
This verse reminds us that in times of war and destruction, as faced by those served by the Calvin Victory, there is an ultimate hope in the promise of resurrection and the restoration of life. A modern-day example is how relief organizations today continue to deliver essential resources to areas devastated by conflict or natural disasters, mirroring the work of the "Seagoing Cowboys" by providing tangible hope and life-sustaining aid to those who have lost everything.
note: Second Christian Reformed Church in Bellflower was renamed and is now known as Bethany Christian Reformed Church. It appears that the original congregation underwent this change, and the church continues to operate today as Bethany CRC at 17054 Bixby Ave, Bellflower, CA
ai generated what it might have looked like (no actual photos available)
