Church History
Video: Musical Montage from the 68th Church Anniversary
Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church was organized Friday night, March 30, 1945 by a handful of dedicated believers under the leadership of Rev. Sam Young. We had no physical sanctuary, so our Christian brothers and sisters of the Pentecostal Holiness Church on Mills Street allowed us to use their facilities every second and fourth Sunday.
Soon, God blessed us with property and we began to build a church. It was a beautiful beginning with devoted members laboring in unity. With the exterior structure completed, minus the roof and the floor, we assembled to experience the presence of the Lord during praise and worship service. Within a short time, a roof was erected and a floor was installed.
After Rev. Young’s tenure ended, the Lord sent Rev. W. H. Bagley, who was pastor for several years. Under Rev. Bagley’s leadership, a fellowship hall was added and our worship services were changed to first and third Sundays. Rev. R. J. Boone was the third pastor and he led the church for 24 years. During his tenure, the church’s dining facility was expanded and air conditioning was installed.
Our fourth pastor was Rev. Gregory G. Thomas who led Mt. Calvary for three years. Under his pastorate, we became a full time church with services every Sunday. The youth choir, gospel choir and bus ministry were also begun at this time. Our fifth pastor was Rev. W. F. Cunningham of Gainesville, Florida. During his leadership, church pews and other furnishings were purchased as well as robes for the youth and gospel choirs. Rev. Cunningham was pastor for three years until he was called to a church closer to his home.
We were without a pastor for some time, but God equipped our Deacons and Rev. Samuel Chatman to serve us until Rev. A. E. Middleton, Sr. came to us in 1989. During Pastor Middleton’s 22 year tenure, he was deeply involved in various social and civic initiatives throughout the community. Within the church family, a male chorus was established and in 1995, we moved into our current location. We now have a large sanctuary, several spacious classrooms, a nursery, fellowship hall and administrative offices. For 19 months following Rev. Middleton’s death in 2011, our devoted Deacons guided us until God sent us Rev. Dr. Tony C. Person on February 17, 2013. Since his arrival, the church has renewed former fellowships and established new partnerships. Through his insightful teaching and masterful preaching, Pastor Person is working to unify and mobilize this body of believers in love for God, love for our fellow man and love for the work God has set before us.
Mount Calvary remains a dedicated body of believers as we continue our legacy of service to our community and faithfulness to our God. We carry on in Jesus’ name with prayerful expectation that God will lead us to an even greater level of worship.
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