About Us
Message From:
Pastor William E. Armstrong and First Lady Brenda H. Armstrong
We thank you for visiting our website. As you browse the site and learn more about Calvary's long and faithful history, it is our hope that you will see that we are a loving congregation committed to the Word of God. We encourage you to make plans to visit and be a part of one of our Worship Services. We open our doors because at Calvary the only thing missing is YOU.
Our history
On October 28, 1948, the Calvary Missionary Baptist Church was organized by several members who launched out from their former church, the St. Joseph Baptist Church. The organizational effort was led by Sister Harriet Green and the organizational meeting was held at the Piney Grove Baptist Church. Reverend Jesse H. Allen was elected to be the first pastor of the new church.
The new congregation held worship services at the Piney Grove Baptist Church until the land on which the present structure stands was purchased from the heirs of the late Tim Tippit, Sr. for the sum of $3,050.50. Ground breaking ceremonies for the first structure was held on July 4, 1949.
After ten years of pastorage, Reverend Allen resigned and moved to California. The congregation then selected Reverend Dr. Philip Rayfield Brown, III. as their shepherd. He was installed on April 19, 1959. Under his administration, renovations and enlargements were done to the building: a parsonage was acquired, central air and heating were added and full-time worship was implemented.
After 31 years of service, Reverend Brown announced his retirement effective November 25, 1990. To fill the void created by Reverend Brown’s retirement, the church selected Reverend William E. Armstrong as interim pastor in March, 1991.
On June 5, 1991, Reverend William E. Armstrong was elected permanent pastor and was installed on June 30, 1991. Under Reverend Armstrong’s many years of leadership, we have experienced spiritual and numerical growth which has led to the construction of the present 2.3-million-dollar facility with a seating capacity for 700. Our old sanctuary has been converted into a fellowship hall, numerous new ministries have been started, multiple parcels of land have been acquired, Facebook and YouTube ministries have been implemented, and state of the art audio and visual equipment has been installed under his guidance.
We look forward with anticipation to seeing what God has in store for us in the future. It is our expectation that eyes have not seen, nor ears heard, neither has it entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.