Calvary Baptist Church Of Los Angeles

Calvary Baptist Church began over 80 years ago when a small group of deacons and members met in the home of Father Lawrence to organize a church. The group met on February 23, 1927 and Rev. I. N. Whitten, who was then the Moderator of the Los Angeles District Association, conducted the first meeting. The original members were Father Lawrence, Delitha Henry, Louise Wade, and Rev. and Mrs. J. H. Holden.

After the organization was legally submitted to the County Clerk of Los Angeles, the group called Rev. Holden as its pastor. More than thirty people had been waiting and joined the same evening. The following week, a hall was rented and services began with Brother Burley Wade as chairman of the Deacon Board. Sister Johnny Mae Luke gave the church its name, "Calvary Baptist Church."

Calvary instituted such groups as choirs and usher boards for all age levels; the Drama and Debating Club; Social and Civic Action Committee; Young Christian Crusaders, which became the Youth Fellowship; Evangelism Committee; Children, Youth and Young Adult Departments; Board of Christian Education; and the Administrative and Advisory Council, to name a few. So that each member could be clear on the operational intent of the church, a Constitution was recommended and adopted.

As Calvary progressed, Pastor Scott instituted a radical tithes and offering system, a system that is still in place today. Members were encouraged to deposit tithes and systematic offerings into the offering boxes located at the entrance of the sanctuary rather than passing trays. Special days with monetary emphasis were abolished. A combination of increased giving and membership led to the church income growing from $25,000.00/year to $200,000.00/year by 1982. In gratitude to God and recognition of the biblical tithing command, Calvary became known as a tithing institution, giving at least ten percent of its income to outside causes.

All was well, until Pastor Scott was called to another church, the historic Saint John Missionary Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas in 1982. The church was completely devastated for never did a person impact Calvary like Dr. Scott. Calvary was faced with selecting a new pastor and made good use of the directives found in the Constitution as the pastoral selection guide along with the bible and prayer. As a result, the Rev. Jarvis Lee Collier, a young man of excellent academic preparation and productivity potential, was selected.

Under Rev. Collier's leadership, Calvary experienced growth numerically, financially and spiritually. A monthly Laymen's' Breakfast and the Friends of New Members League (now the New Members Support System) were instituted and are still functioning. Rev. Collier remained at Calvary until June of 1985.

In 1986, the Rev. John Bowie became the pastor of Calvary. His ministry was significant in that he instituted Children's Church, Altar Call Prayer Period, Calvary's Ecclesiastical Educational Development (Associate Ministers Training Class), a Long Range Planning Committee to assist Calvary in focusing on future endeavors, and a relationship with the Rabbi Stephen Jacobs of the Kol Tikvah Jewish Temple in Woodland Hills. This relationship in particular was formed as a result of the riots in LA in the aftermath of the Rodney King Verdict. Calvary is most grateful for this wonderful relationship that fosters education and spiritual growth. Pastor Bowie remained at Calvary until he was called to the True Light Baptist Church, in Houston, Texas, a church from which his father retired.

Since 1992, Calvary was blessed to have two distinguished gentlemen serve as pastor, the Rev. Dr. Clinton A. Benton and the Rev. Earl L. Middleton. Calvary continued to grow and evolve although their tenures were somewhat short-lived.

On November 16, 2002, God sent Calvary another qualified pastor. This time it was someone with whom Calvary was very familiar, the Rev. Virgil Vanoy Jones, who was then the Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Duarte.

Rev. Virgil Jones

Key Contacts

- Currently serving as President of the Western Baptist State Convention’s Young Adult Department.

- Currently serving as Executive Secretary of the Los Angeles District Association.

- Retired after 33 years working for the City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works.

- Retired after 34 years of service at Bank of America. Last position served was Bank Vice-President and Audit Consultant.

Who We Are

Key Contacts