Iglesia Bautista Calvario

A century and a half of faith. That’s the legacy whispered by the stones of Iglesia Bautista Calvario. Right here on West 57th Street this magnificent structure stands. It wasn’t always here. Its story begins humbly. In 1847 as Hope Chapel a small branch of Stanton Street Baptist Church. The church moved twice to Broadway before finally settling at West 23rd Street in 1854. A.D Gillette led the congregation then renamed Calvary Baptist Church. As New York City boomed so did Calvary. In 1883 it relocated uptown to West 57th Street. Time magazine called its new building the most expensive Baptist church in America. Pastor Robert S. MacArthur insisted its true value lay in its message. Above the doors he placed the words “We preach Christ crucified”. This message remained when the building was replaced in 1930. The new building included a hotel a unique combination for its time. This complex served the church’s worship and missionary activities for the next 90 years. The church’s message stayed constant but its methods evolved. In the 19th century MacArthur held open-air revivals raising significant funds for international missions. In 1923 John Roach Straton established Calvary’s own radio station. Tell It From Calvary broadcast worldwide for almost a century. Calvary played a crucial role in Billy Graham’s 1957 Madison Square Garden crusade. Stephen Olford a close friend and advisor to Graham served as senior pastor from 1959 to 1973. He embraced television ministry and founded the New York Bible School in 1971. Esteemed pastors Donald Hubbard James Rose and David Epstein continued the legacy. Today Iglesia Bautista Calvario is renovating its 57th Street property. A modern expanded facility will better serve its 21st-century mission. Pastor Abraham Joseph continues the church’s enduring message echoing throughout its history. Go tell it Calvary.