Greater Mount Calvary M.B Church

About

The following information is available for Greater Mount Calvary M.B Church:

Pastored by Rev. John E. Cameron, Sr., Greater Mt. Calvary is the church where everybody is somebody. Worship services are held each Sunday at 10:30 a.m. The church is located at 1400 Robinson Street in Jackson, MS.

Greater Mt. Calvary Baptist Church Organized November 1916 Pastors Rev. W. P. Whitfield - 1916-1962 Rev. S. H. Jones - 1961-1969 Rev. John E. Cameron, Sr. - 1970 - Present Church History Mount Calvary Baptist Church, originally located on the corner of John R. Lynch and Poindexter Streets, Jackson, Mississippi, was founded by Revered W.P. Whitfield in November, 1916. The church had a peculiar beginning. The Holy Spirit stopped Rev. Whitfield at the original church site at 901 Lynch Street, where stood an old store that housed a pressing shop in the front and a room in back where men gambled. Rev. Whitfield was led to start a church there, so he subsequently rented the store for $7.50. He had the property cleaned and put a sign out front which read “REVIVAL.” With the help of Rev. B. N. Monroe, the Pastor of New Mount Zion Baptist Church, Rev. Whitfield preached for three weeks, and out of this movement, sixty-two people were baptized and another twenty-one joined by Christian Experience. From these eighty-three people, Mount Calvary Baptist Church was organized, and Rev. Whitfield became our first Pastor. The first deacons were Bro. A.P. Henry, Bro. Willis Andrews, Bro. John Bernard and Bro. Lee Brown, who was also the first church Treasurer. Other officers were Bro. John Lowe, Secretary; Sis. Francis Henry, Mission President; Sis. Ida Clay, Musician; Bro. Willis Andrews, Sunday School Superintendent; and Bro. Pulman Cage, Trustee. The first church eventually purchased the storefront property from Mr. L.B. Mosley and the adjacent lot from a Mr. Asher. Later, the house next door and lot were purchased from Professor I.S. Sanders. A church building was purchased from the Presbyterian congregation on West Capital Street. Rev. Fred Lee was employed to dismantle that building and rebuild it at the 901 Lynch Street location. On June 18, 1956, after continued growth in membership, construction was begun at the old church site on Lynch Street. Mr. Zeb Thomas, the brick work foreman, and Mr. Clyde Roby, the carpentry foreman, were advised by Rev. Whitfield to employ an attorney to handle legal matters and to guide them through the building program. Judge Luther Manship was retained. No problems were encountered from the City of Jackson or any building company. Under the Leadership of Rev. Whitfield, forty years of church growth ensued, and many organizations were formed. These included Church School, Baptist Training Union, Usher Board, Missionary Society, Junior Matrons, Young Women’s Association, Red Circle, Senior Choir, Gospel Choir, Intermediate Choir, Junior Choir (which had two musicians, Mrs. B.C. Whitfield and Mrs. Pearl Allen), Pastor’s Aid Club, Nannie Burroughs’ Study Club, The Get-Together Club, Whitfield Study Club, Laymen’s Movement, Junior Ushers and the Relief Club. Rev. Whitfield retired in March, 1962 after five years of lingering illness. His one desire was to see the building completed before his death. He died on June 17, 1963. Rev. S.H. Jones succeeded Rev. Whitfield to the Pastorate and served the church for seven years. Under his leadership, the building was completed. The interior of the church was furnished with hardwood floors, carpeting in the aisles, a platform and choir stands, new pulpit chairs, a new communion table, choir chairs, an upstairs library, a stove, a sink, kitchen cabinets, kitchen and dining room tile flooring, a Hammond organ, a loudspeaker and a neon sign outside. Rev. Jones led the church out of debt and left money in the bank for the air conditioning unit which was later installed. Rev. Jones did not live to see all the work completed, as he died in October, 1969. Following the death of Rev. Jones, Rev. A.H. Meredith and Rev. John Hardy, Jr. were elected to preach for the church until a permanent Pastor was confirmed. Rev. John Earl Cameron, Sr., the third Pastor in the church’s 87 year span, was elected Pastor in March, 1970. Under his leadership, the worship service was changed from two Sundays a month to full-time. Communion was changed from the 4th Sunday to the 1st Sunday evening each month. It became a tradition under Rev. Cameron’s leadership to accommodate students from nearby Jackson State University by making Mount Calvary their home away from home. Under Rev. Cameron’s leadership, land was purchased on Poindexter Street down to Handle Factory, with the exception of two houses, for the building of a new and larger church. In 1971, the Church Library was organized by Sis. Emma J. Terry and Sis. Margaret Holt, librarians. This library housed a collection of at least 1000 books and other materials to meet the needs of the community. The church was reorganized into departments, and the Nurses’ Guild was organized to assist with the health and comfort of the worshippers. The congregation soon outgrew the old building on Lynch Street, and were blessed to purchase and move to their present location at 1400 Robinson Street in 1975. The name of the church was officially changed to Greater Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church at that time. After moving to the new facility, the Church purchased the Fellowship Hall and other adjoining property, expanding its borders and usefulness. The Church Cornerstone was laid on May 16, 1982, by the Most Worshipful Stranger Grand Lodge, F. & A.M., Prince Hall Affiliation, with H. M. Thompson, Grand Master of Masons for the State of Mississippi, presiding. He was assisted by Deacon J. I. Martin, Grand Lecturer of the 9th Masonic District and Worshipful Master of a local Lodge, along with other brothers and sisters of the Masonic family. During the thirty-three years of Rev. Cameron’s leadership, the church has steadily grown in membership, finances and new organizations, for the greater work our Lord Jesus Christ. A $1.3 million Family Life Center was built in 2000. At the time of its construction, it was a state-of-the-art facility. Projects sponsored by the church include an Adult Education Project, Community Development Agency, childcare and special missions, Television Ministry, the Community Vision Development Agency, Inc., and Greater Mount Calvary Community Development Corporation. Under Greater Mt. Calvary’s CDC, a housing initiative was undertaken in 2002, and shortly afterward, the Corporation was designated as a Community Development Housing Organization (CDHO). Most of the Church’s financial records have been computerized. Schematic drawings for the renovation and church sanctuary have been prepared. Some of the old properties on Robinson Street and Fourth Avenue have been demolished to prepare for the renovation and expansion of our current facility. During the spring of 1996, the old church site at 901 Lynch Street was sold to the State of Mississippi for use in the expansion of Jackson State University. The Lord only knows what larger service lies ahead for us if we keep our hands in His. Wrapped in God’s Grace, we look forward to continued progress in our community, state and nation. Several ministries have been initiated in recent years, and many ministers have been ordained at Greater Mt. Calvary. Some of these ministries include an After School Program, the Fatherhood Initiative, the Family Mentoring Program, Transportation Program, Clothing Ministry, HIV/AIDS Project, and a Senior Citizens’ Project. On October 14, 2003, the Church Chapel Building was designated a Historical Landmark of Jackson, and on October 16, 2003, it received a Mississippi Historical Landmark designation from the Mississippi Department of History and Archives. The Church has maintained a tradition of civil and community involvement. In May, 2001, The Honorable Rod Paige, U.S. Secretary for the Department of Education was a featured speaker at the Church. Mr. Paige was one of the first African Americans to be appointed to a Cabinet-level position by President George Bush. In 2003, J.C. Watts, a former U.S. House member who was the only African American Republican representative in Congress, was guest at a breakfast meeting at the Church. The Honorable Harvey Johnson, Jr. , first African American mayor of Jackson, MS, presented the Church with a Proclamation from the City of Jackson during his first term. Many City Council members have also presented awards of recognition to the Church.

Address

Greater Mount Calvary M.B Church can be found at the following address:

1400 Robinson St

39203

Map

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