Our Church
First Mt. Calvary's rich history began around 1905 when the church was organized in a three-room house in Dulstown. In 1915 the congregation moved into a new location at 1401 North Church Street. First Mt. Calvary was impacted by urban renewal in the 1960's and 1970's, which forced the church to move several times.
Reverend Marion C. Clowney served as Pastor of First Mt. Calvary for thirteen years and embraced the challenge of urban renewal by leading the charge to erect a permanent structure for worship. In February 1980, Rev. Clowney, the church’s officers, and members of First Mount Calvary Baptist Church moved into its present location at 209 West 28th Street.
In 1984, at the end of Reverend Clowney’s tenure, the church appointed Reverend James Hawthorne Sr. to lead the church. Under his leadership, First Mt. Calvary grew, and many auxiliaries and ministries were started. There were many achievements during Reverend Hawthorne’s thirty-two years of service, to include liquidating the mortgage on the original sanctuary and building the church’s Family Life Center (current sanctuary). Reverend Hawthorne retired in 2015.
In 2016, God called our current Pastor, Rev. Dr. Kevin J. Griffin to lead First Mt. Calvary by the power of the Holy Spirit. God established the vision and mission of First Mt. Calvary through Pastor Griffin. The Vision of First Mt. Calvary is to become a missional church, that sees consistent and extraordinary change in the lives of people, the local community, and the world, by continuing the works of Jesus Christ and achieving GREATER THINGS through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Mission of First Mt. Calvary is to REACH for Jesus in all directions.
REACH stands for (Revere God – Evangelize the lost – Advance the Kingdom – Connect in Community – Help Others)
Rev. Dr. Kevin J. Griffin has also been led to establish several new ministries and several partnerships that support the community around the church. Under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Kevin J. Griffin, the church has experienced growth and stability spiritually, financially, and numerically (membership). Additionally, First Mt. Calvary experienced a second mortgage burning ceremony for the Family Life Center in 2022. God has also blessed First Mt. Calvary to employ part-time staff members, replace the sanctuary’s roof, and has given us the ability to offer online streaming of the church’s worship services.
Additionally, under the leadership of Pastor Griffin, the REACH CDC was established to increase our impact in the community and the world around us. The REACH CDC has been awarded several grants and is transforming communities one life at a time.
Pastor Griffin continues to guide First Mt. Calvary through Bible-centered preaching, teaching, service, and outreach. As a result, First Mt. Calvary continues to be a beacon of light and hope to its members and our community.