This in no way encompasses the entire history of Mt. Calvary. But this record is meant to share some of the significant moments that have shaped who we are as an Assembly.

 

​In September 1945, 47 people held a meeting in a Christian center, a borrowed space located at Pasadena and North Streets. Rev. Jennie Johnson ran the center and allowed the use of the facility.

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• Charles H. Nicks guided a committee chaired by Brother Johnson Buchanan, in the formulation of plans necessary to complete the organization of the First Baptist Mission.

• Temporary officers were elected and installed by Rev. William Norton. Deacons: Giles Robinson, J. Lambert and Wiley Viverette. Trustees: L.B. Marks, W.C. Mabry, Fred Thomas. Clerk: Carrie McBride Hoskins and Treasurer: Fred Thomas.

• These officers met and recommended that the Center would be our regular meeting place for services and meetings until such time as a place could be secured. The recommendation was accepted.

• Ministries were organized, led by various officers:

  • Sunday School – Brother Will Lary

  • T.U. (Baptist Training Union) – Sister Anna Dabney

  • Missionary Department – Sister Minnie Marks

  • Senior Choir – Brother D.J. Lambert

  • Usher Board – Brother Melvin Viltz

  • Pianist – Sister Alliece M. Nicks

• Nicks informed the committee that the building at 3019 Industrial Avenue, could be purchased and used as a church building. The committee investigated and accepted the purchase price. Each member agreed to donate $25.00 to secure enough money to make a down payment on the building.

• Sister Sarah Martin was the first member to pay, with many others following.

• Brother Reuben Moore suggested the name of “Calvary.” The word “Mount” was added; thus establish the full name of “Mount Calvary.”

 

The Church was organized as a regular Baptist Church on November 20, 1945. The presiding council, which included Rev. Charles H. Nicks and Rev. William Norton, proceeded to organize, naming Dr. T.L. Ballou the Chairman and Brother W.H. McGhee the Secretary. The purpose for which the new church was being organized was read, “to safeguard development of the Christian life of this body of baptized believers in Christ, to continue intelligent and spiritual worship of God.” After the reading of the Articles of Faith, Chairman Dr. Ballou stated that the purpose was sufficient.

 

The council declared Mount Calvary a duly organized Baptist Church. At that time, Rev. Charles H. Nicks was elected pastor, serving until Dec 29, 1949. In 1949, he resigned to accept the pastorate of Peoples Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan.

 

Under the Nicks Administration there were ninety Charter Members. Within a few weeks the church moved to the newly purchased building at 3019 Industrial Avenue. Under his leadership with the assistance of his wife, Mrs. Alliece Nicks, an accomplished pianist and music director, progress was rapid.

 

Rev. William Edmondson, a member and Associate Minister of Mt. Calvary, served as interim pastor after the departure of Rev. Nicks.

 

The Church called Dr. C.G. Pritchett of Albion, Michigan on  July 9, 1950. Dr. Prichett resigned in June, 1952 to assume a teaching position.

 

Rev. Matthew Montgomery was called by the church on July 21, 1952.  Rev. Montgomery was unanimously elected and later ordained at the Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle on September 21, 1952. He was duly installed as pastor on October 26, 1952.

 

Under the leadership of Rev. Montgomery:

• The mortgage on the property at 3019 Industrial Avenue was burned on May 17, 1953.

• An extensive remodeling program was conducted.

• A piano and organ were purchased (both are still in service). Negotiations for the purchase of the structure at 4801 N. Saginaw Street was started

 

Rev. Montgomery labored well for eleven years until God called him home on December 23, 1963.

 

Rev. Claude Terrell of Detroit, Michigan became pastor April 5, 1964.

 

Under the leadership of Rev. Terrell:

• The final negotiation for the purchase of property at 4801 N. Saginaw Street was completed and The church marched in on Sunday, October 18,1964.

• Terrell served faithfully until September 23, 1965.

 

On July 31, 1966, Rev. Granville Smith, Jr., accepted our call and was duly installed as Pastor on October 16, of the same year. As a visionary, his message “Facing the Future With Christ” pledged that Mt. Calvary would “meet the needs of the community through physical, as well as spiritual growth.” His determination - matched only by his leadership ability and dedication to the Lord’s work - rapidly caused that vision to become reality. Pastor Smith served the Lord, Mt. Calvary, and this community for 31 years.

 

Under the leadership of Pastor Smith:

• The church took on several major projects including: remodeling, refurnishing, real estate acquisitions, vehicle purchases, air conditioning, domestic and international outreach, and joint ventures in print and radio media.

• A scholarship fund was organized in 1967, in memory of the late Rev. Matthew Montgomery.

• In 1971, the mortgage was burned for the sanctuary and the Baltimore Street properties

• The United Bible Institute of U.T.S was set up in 1972, training and educating countless ministers and laymen.

• In 1972, Pastor Smith recommended the construction of a mission in Johannesburg, South Africa. The estimated cost, $23,000 was raised through fundraising efforts at our church.

• In 1973, Mt. Calvary was rated fourth among National Baptist Convention churches in foreign mission contributions; evidenced by our contribution of $6,000 toward the mission’s completion 

• That same year, Henry L. Fuller, Jr., who was called to the ministry while still a member of Mt. Calvary, was ordained on January 26, and sent out to start a mission in Holly, Michigan. It was duly organized as Faith Missionary Baptist Church on July 14, 1973.

• In 1974, the mortgage on the Annex at 4815 N. Saginaw Street was liquidated, thus allowing all existing Calvary property to become free and clear.

• In 1975, Rev. Nevalon Mitchell, Jr. was called as pastor of Woodlawn United Methodist Church of Chicago, Illinois .

• In 1975, Pastor Smith unfolded the plans for a new sanctuary to the church family; one that would be a testimony to the magnificence and beauty of God. On Easter Sunday, April 18, 1976, Groundbreaking Services were held and construction of the estimated $600,000 sanctuary began on September 14, 1976.

• In 1975-76, a total of $8,000 was contributed toward building our sister Church in Soweto, South Africa.

• The library was dedicated in honor of Matthew Montgomery on August 24, 1980.

• On November 16, 1980 the fellowship hall was named the “Charles H. Nicks Fellowship Hall,” was named in honor of our founder, Rev. Nicks, Sr.

• Many Sons in Ministry were born and or moved into the Pastorate through Mt, Calvary including the aforementioned Rev. Fuller

  • Rev. W.T. Davis began worship services at the York Street Mission, later renamed Mt. Pleasant Baptist Mission and duly organized as Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church on April 1, 1978. In recent history the name was again changed to Genesee Baptist Tabernacle.

  • Rev. John Gaddis became Pastor of Corinthian Baptist Church, Saginaw, Michigan

  • In 1981, Rev. Travis Smith accepted the call to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, thus becoming another son in the ministry.

  • Rev. Cecil T. Washington was duly installed as Pastor of the Bible Baptist Church, Highland Park, Michigan.

  • Norse Johnson was born into the preaching ministry of Jesus Christ, thereby becoming another son.

  • In 1984 two of the “sons” moved forward as they assumed pastorates: Rev. C.P. Baker at Faith Missionary Baptist Church, Holly, Michigan; and Rev. Thomas A. Knapp to Paul Missionary Baptist Church, Dekalb, Texas. At that time, the Lord led Rev. Henry L. Fuller, Jr., from his pastorate at Faith Missionary Baptist Church, Holly, Michigan to the Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, Muncie, Indiana.

  • Later, two more “sons” accepted the call to go: Rev. Cecil Washington to New Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Topeka Kansas; and Rev. Norse Johnson to First Street Baptist Church, Nashville, Tennessee.

  • In 1986, we also witnessed the ‘birth’ of new sons in the ministry, Rev. Ira Edwards, Sr. and Rev. Carl Williams

  • In 1990, we were blessed with the birth of yet another “son” in the ministry, Rev. Timothy G. Smith.

  • In 1994, Rev. Travis Smith was ordained.

• A bulletin board, which bears the church’s name and announcements of coming events, was donated ($5,820), by Bro. Willie F. and Sister Addie O. Rea.

• Sister Minnie Martin made a sizable contribution toward the liquidation of the church’s mortgage.

• Our sister church in Soweto, South Africa was completed.

• Pastor Smith was able to fulfill his dream of dedicating that sister church traveling to Soweto, South Africa in 1987.

• In 1991, $10,000 was given toward the liquidation of the mortgage on our World Baptist Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

 

On May 28, 1997, our hearts were saddened by the death of our beloved Pastor Smith. However, we rejoiced at his home going, believing that he received a hearty “servant well done” as God took him from labor to reward. We will always cherish his memory as a good shepherd who fed well this flock of the Lord.

• In the same year we witnessed the ordination of Rev. Ira Edwards, Sr.

 

From 1998 to the present, we have been blessed by the leadership of our current Pastor, Rev. Dr. Henry L. Fuller, Jr. The Lord led Mt. Calvary to extend the call to this son of Mt. Calvary on April 18, 1998. He accepted the challenge and opportunity to serve God at this appointed place. On October 4, 1998, Rev. Fuller was duly installed as Pastor.

 

Pastor Fuller’s leadership has been full of significant milestones:

• In 1998, Pastor Fuller was elected to the position of Moderator of the Great Lakes District Baptist Association.

• Under his leadership, the “2000-N-2000” plan was presented and implemented on December 15, 1999 at Mt. Calvary. This plan consisted of $2000 pledges from each willing member in the year 2000. This effort marked a renewed thrust toward the building fund, which led to groundbreaking for the Family Life Center on February 3, 2002.

• In 2001 we acquired more parking with the purchase of property on North Saginaw Street.

• The Matthew Montgomery Scholarship Commission was re-named the Montgomery-Smith Scholarship Commission.

• On August 3, 2003, we experienced a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony and Open House for the Family Life Center. On November 23, 2003, a Dedicatory Service was held. As part of the Family Life Center project, Bro. Willie Peterson and Sis. Betty Peterson made a sizable donation towards the purchase of the elevator, allowing convenient access to the lower level.

• While in the process of building the Family Life Center, a car lot across the street was resurfaced.

• In 2004, “Mt. Calvary Medallions” were presented to those faithful supporters of the Family Life Center project. The Medallions were presented during Church Anniversary.

• The year 2005 gripped us with an unusual challenge toward our Mission efforts. We witnessed the devastation caused by several hurricanes in the coastal region of our Nation. This church assisted those displaced by the storms. It was another way of showing others that God cares. In our region, the work of the Todd Phillip Children’s Home remains a major focus in our mission effort as well as our joint work through our National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc.’s Foreign Mission Program.

• In 2005, we unveiled the “Memorial Tree,” commemorating our gallant ‘Faith Troops’ in Mt. Calvary’s Hall of Faith.

• In 2006, we experienced the initiation and completion of yet another God directed vision to go beyond our established budget and commit to a $75,000.00 sacrificial offering for the remodeling of our sanctuary which included new carpet and pews. We also saw the update of our administrative offices with the acquisition of new computer equipment.

• Other ‘sons’ of Mt. Calvary were called to the pastorate in 2006, Rev. William Whitaker who served as pastor of Faith Missionary Baptist Church of Holly, Michigan and Henry L. Purches were added to our church family.

• We were also blessed with a “son” in the ministry in 2007 in the person of Rev. Eric Marks, Sr., who preached his first sermon on Sunday, June 24, 2007.

• In 2007 we also saw Pastor Fuller, elected to the office of President of the Wolverine State Baptist Convention, where he served for two consecutive terms.

• In January 2009, the property at 653 E. Philadelphia was purchased

• In 2013, we were blessed with additional spiritual sons, Rev. Fred Wilkes and Rev. Anthony Kemp

• In 2014, as Flint found itself in the middle of a water emergency, Mt Calvary was one of the first local churches to begin providing bottled water to City of Flint residents. Mt. Calvary served as one of the city’s distribution centers for receiving and distributing bottled water donations collected from all over the nation.

• In 2015, both Pastor and Sister Fuller were each recognized for continuing to exercise the Mt. Calvary commitment towards the Lord’s mission work. Pastor Fuller was the recipient of the Nelson Mandela Achievement Award while the the Leola H. Stephens Achievement Award was conferred upon Sister Marilyn Fuller. 2015 also found Mt. Calvary reaching out to witness and aid women housed in local shelters, with the first annual fashion share and luncheon program, offering attendees the opportunity to shop for new and gently used clothing, and be embraced with lunch, love and fellowship.

• In November of 2016, the Mission Ministry repeated this effort, extending the invitation to women and their children, continuing to show the love of Christ to those in need.

• All new costumes were acquired for use in Mt. Calvary productions. These costumes were sponsored by contributions from the church family and stirred renewed interest and participation by the youth who wanted to wear those new costumes. We praise God for a church family who supports our youth and youth programs.

• In 2017, Pastor Fuller completed his 2nd and final term as President of the Wolverine State Baptist Convention. He was saluted for this leadership contribution with a gala dinner celebration.

• Under Pastor Fuller’s direction, the Strive for Excellence Ministry was launched to provide one-on-one tutoring and supplemental instruction to students throughout the city, to meet the goal of educational success. Several area college students touted the effectiveness of this Mt. Calvary Ministry in their college classes.

• In 2019, as the world was facing an unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, Mt. Calvary was one of the few local churches that never closed its doors. While engaging in safe gathering practices and thorough safety protocols, Pastor Fuller continued to allow the church campus to be available for worship services, funerals, and other significant events.

• Pastor Fuller continues in God’s service as His faithful and dedicated servant and through our Mt. Calvary Church family. Together with this church family, we stand poised and continuously look toward the future knowing assuredly that the God will continue to lead us on to even higher heights.