Our History
We are the church where love changes lives
Mount Calvary Freewill Baptist Church
Mt. Calvary Free Will Baptist Church was organized under the leadership of Elder S.C. Tillman on November 1, 1985, and Mother Dorothy Tillman suggested the name. The first service was held November 3, 1985 at Edith L. Starke Elementary School. Under his leadership, the ministry experienced exponential growth, new auxiliaries were formed, musical instruments were purchased, a radio ministry established and the present edifice was built.
On September 16, 1990, our dedicatory service was held. Prior to this monumental occasion Deacon and Mother Clarence Davenport hosted all church business meetings in their home. In November 1987, Mt. Calvary Free Will Baptist Church joined the United American Free Will Baptist Conferences.
As the ministry continued to grow, the Lord blessed the church family with other ministers to assist Bishop Tillman, (Minister Reginald Williams, Minister Eugene Collier, Minister Ethel Gilbert, Minister Ola Mae Cook, Minister Carmen Gaines, Minister Harry Robertson, Reverend Lestley Cusack, and Minister Chauncey Brown). In addition, notable deacons such as Deacon Richard Hillary (deceased) and Deacon James A Bender, (deceased) served as well.
After the demise of Bishop Tillman, Reverend Lestley Cusack served as Interim Pastor until October 1996, when the church called Pastor Chauncey Brown to serve.
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On April 12, 2000, Reverend Alfonzo Bush and his family accepted the call to Pastor Mt. Calvary F.W.B.C until February 3, 2001.
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On September 9, 2002, Elder Terry Brown accepted the call to Pastor. During his tenure new officers were added to the church, a marquee was purchased, and a donation of twelve lots. Elder Brown served as Pastor until March 29, 2004.
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On April 28, 2004 the church voted to name Bishop Tim Jackson as the next pastor of Mt. Calvary F.W.B.C. Under his leadership, new officers were added to the church.
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After Bishop Jackson completed his tenure, Rev. Cusack served as the interim Pastor until October 2008.
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October 19, 2008, Elder Terry Brown was installed as Pastor. Under his leadership along with First Lady Faye Brown several ministers and church officers were appointed. Their message was “Together we are stronger, so that we can grow deeper and reach higher”. Pastor and First Lady Brown led Mt. Calvary F.W.B.C until January 2020.
On September 6, 2020 Mt. Calvary started a new chapter in its storied history as we welcomed Dr. Ryan L. Griffin, Sr as our new Pastor along with his family and First Lady Ashanti Griffin. As we enter this new season of ministry we are “ALL IN” and “Sustaining the Legacy”. We are confident that the best is yet to come. Moreover, we are committed to fully developing disciples, for kingdom building and we declare we shall finish what we started. After all we are the church where love changes lives.
