A Brief History of Mount Calvary Baptist Church
Mount Calvary Baptist Church was organized on October 6, 1941
The first services of the new mission later established as a church were held in the home of Brother Joe Pearson and his wife, located on the corner of
Mitchell Street and South Steel Avenue. Today, the church’s youth building stands on that same site and is known as the Pearson Annex in honor of the family
who first opened their home for worship.
Shortly after its founding, the church joined the State Line Association (now called the Hobolochitto Baptist Association) at its annual meeting held at
Mill Creek Baptist Church on October 17–18, 1941. Mount Calvary remains an active member of the Hobolochitto Association today.
The church began with just 19 members, but by 1979 it had grown to more than 500 members. Brother L. S. Walker served as the first pastor,
and Brother John J. Dillard was the first deacon.
According to the book “Labourers Together With God: A History of the Hobolochitto Baptist Association” by Brother L. S. Walker:
“The pastor’s offerings for the first two or three months ranged from $2.50 to about $5.00 per week.”
The property on which the church stands also has a meaningful history. The lot containing the rough, unpainted building once the home of Brother and Mrs. Joe Pearson
and the early meeting place of the church was donated by Mr. G. H. Williams. Over time, the church purchased the remaining lots on the block.
Following Mr. Williams’ death, his heirs generously donated the final three lots, completing the property that the church still owns today.
Soon after, the Pearson family moved out of the makeshift building, and members began renovating it for church use. Within months, partitions were removed,
the interior was remodeled and painted, and two additional classrooms were added on the south side. A front porch and steeple were also constructed.
Pastor Walker personally painted the exterior, with Brother Curtis Mitchell assisting in painting the galvanized roof. Brother D. C. Varnado built the church’s first pulpit.
By 1944, the growing congregation began planning for a new church building. The unfinished structure was first occupied on March 24, 1946, and
the completed building was formally dedicated on April 10, 1949.
