Our History
Mt. Calvary Free Will Baptist Church was founded in 1888 under the leadership of Rev. R. Kenick, and a wooden church was constructed. On August 12, 1918, a parcel of land was donated to the church by Andrew Williams. The deed named three men charged with the financial affairs of Mt. Calvary Free Will Baptist Church. These trustees were Cornelius Kimball, Sal Johnson, and Andrew Williams. From that wooden church, a new church was constructed in 1959 under the leadership of Rev. J.O. Banks, and the trustees were Bro. James Jennings, Ernest Williams, Herbert Kimball, and Nelson McKinley, who would later become the church's pastor. The old church was torn down, and the lumber was used to help construct the new church building. The old church's walls are now the existing church's ceiling. The bell was rung each Sunday for church. Bro. Edward Watson informed us that the brothers of the community would come out to the church and ring the bell after hearing of the passing of a loved one in the community. The bell is no longer rung each Sunday for services, but it's still located and on display at the church.
After the death of Rev. J.O. Banks, the church continued under the leadership of Rev. Webster Hooker. The church continued under the pastoralship of Rev. Primell Johnson, Rev. Nelson McKinley, Rev. Joe Johnson, and Rev. Tyrone Leonard. In 2007, Rev. Lafete Tucker Sr. became our pastor, and he always reminds us to say "To God Be The Glory." The affairs of Mount Calvary has been dutifully attended to by faithful and dedicated deacons, including Chairman Gregory August, Deacon, Charles Howard, the late Nathaniel McKnight, and Deacon Bryant Wright; a strong brotherhood and sisterhood; a praying Mission Department and Youth Department. In 2010, the church added an annex to its fellowship hall, and two years later in 2012, the church installed a baptistry pool. The church went through the August 2016 flood and had to be completely remodeled. In 2020, the church was impacted by COVID-19, and for the first time, the church doors were closed. But through social media, we were still able to have church by way of Facebook. On December 18, 2022, Sis. Rosalyn August Cousin was ordained as the first woman to be ordained at Mt. Calvary under the leadership of Rev. Lafete Tucker.
As Jesus said in Matthew 16:18…And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. Calvary stands firmly on the word of God, and we trust will continue to serve God and the community for many generations to come.