“Exalt Christ equip believers and embrace the community.” That’s the motto of Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Church. This church has served the District of Columbia for decades.
Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Church has a rich history. Bishop Alfred A. Owens Jr. launched the ministry in 1966. Co-Pastor Dr. Susie C. Owens joined him in 1972 when they married.
Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Church is family-focused. It provides activities for everyone. There are sports events and men’s prayer. Marriage enrichment and financial wellness programs are available too.
The church addresses food insecurity. One of its outreach facilities is the Crowder Owens Food Bank. It has distributed thousands of pounds of produce. It has served many meals to those in need.
The Crowder Owens Food Bank leads Ward Five. It distributes the most produce. It also distributes the most meals. The Capital Area Food Bank recognized this.
Rev. Rodney L. Carter Jr. is an associate pastor. He says the church embraces the community. Every week on “giving Tuesday” they distribute fresh produce. Meat dairy and meals are also provided. An onsite clothing boutique is open to the public.
Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Church also offers job training. The Family Life Community Center provides this. They help with resumes and mock interviews. They advise on interview attire and job placement. The facility has a gym and basketball court.
The church connects with the community through wellness checkups. They held a heart-health checkup during a Sunday worship. Blood pressures were taken and health materials were distributed. A guest physician scheduled appointments.
Many people have been helped by the Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Church. Working-class families struggle with rent increases. More people from different walks of life use the facilities. Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Church is happy to serve them.
In January 2022 Bishop Owens received an award. It was the Joseph R. Biden Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award. He received it for volunteerism and impacting the community.
Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church also has a story. It started as a mission in 1935. Reverend H. C. Mack led it. The mission was at 19th and L Street N.W. Washington DC.
The church moved to 911 4th Street N.W. under Reverend Weaver. They then moved to 1600 8th Street N.W.
Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church was officially organized in 1938. It was in the home of Deacon and Mrs. Samuel McCullough. Reverend Dr. James L. Bennett was called as Pastor. There were eight members on the roll.
Sister Geneva Bennett was the first member to join under Reverend Bennett. James W. Jeter Sr. and Lela B. Newsome joined in 1938. Georgia Lilly joined in 1939.
The church relocated to Fourth and L Streets N.W. They worshipped in the lower auditorium. A fire damaged the building in 1944. They moved to Sixth and P Streets N.W. to the Springfield Baptist Church.
In 1945 they purchased a building at 432 M Street N.W. In 1961 they moved to 801 North Carolina Avenue S.E. under Reverend James L. Bennett. In 1974 they had the Mortgage Burning Service.
Reverend James L. Bennett resigned in 1974 due to illness. He passed away in 1975.
In 1976 Reverend J. P. Blair became Pastor. The church grew under his leadership.
In 1995 the church relocated to 5000 St. Barnabas Road Temple Hills Maryland. They added “Missionary” to the name. This was because another church in Maryland had the same name.
Reverend Hercules S. Jones was elected Pastor in 2000. He had served as Interim Pastor for a year.
Reverend Larry Phillip McCray became Pastor in 2006. Many new members joined the church.
Rev. John Daniel Sawyer was officially elected in 2022 to serve as Pastor.
Mt. Calvary Holy Church of Deliverance was founded in 1971. Elder Emerson L. Brockington Sr. led it in Washington DC. Bishop E. D. Brockington opened it on 7th Street NW. They relocated to 1618 8th Street NW.
By 1987 they built a facility at 5900 Chillum Place NE. In 1987 Elder Emerson Lee Brockington Sr. became Bishop. He presided over churches in multiple states. Bishop E.D. Brockington added new auxiliaries. This helped the growing congregation.