“Go Tell It Calvary” echoes through time. This is the First Calvary Baptist Church. Right here on Amsterdam Avenue it stands a testament to faith and resilience.
For over a century this magnificent church has been a cornerstone of the community. It began its journey long ago not here but as a small offshoot of the Stanton Street Baptist Church. This tiny chapel grew. It changed names. It moved twice along Broadway before finally settling on West 23rd Street. It became Calvary Baptist Church under the leadership of A D Gillette a prominent Baptist leader.
The church’s growth mirrored New York City’s own expansion. In 1883 Calvary Baptist made a bold move uptown to West 57th Street. It constructed a stunning building. Time Magazine called it the most expensive Baptist church in America. Pastor Robert S MacArthur stressed that true value lay in its message. Above the doors were the words “We preach Christ crucified”. This powerful statement remained when a new building replaced the old one in 1930.
The church didn’t just preach it acted. MacArthur held open-air revivals raising funds for international missions. In 1923 under John Roach Straton it launched a radio station. The program Tell It From Calvary broadcast worldwide for nearly a century. It supported Billy Graham’s Madison Square Garden meetings. Stephen Olford a close friend of Graham served as pastor. Olford embraced television ministry and founded the New York School of the Bible in 1971.
Throughout its history First Calvary Baptist Church has adapted to changing times. Its core message of faith remained constant. Esteemed pastors like Donald Hubbard James Rose and David Epstein continued this legacy. Today under Senior Pastor Abraham Joseph the church is renovating its 57th Street property building a modern facility. The exhortation “Go Tell It Calvary” continues. First Calvary Baptist Church’s impact is immeasurable. It’s a living testament to faith community and the enduring power of the gospel.