Calvary Baptist Church (Chester, Pennsylvania) facts for kids
Calvary Baptist Church is a special Baptist Church located in Chester, Pennsylvania. This church was started way back in 1879. A very famous person, Martin Luther King Jr., attended Calvary Baptist Church. He was studying at the Crozer Theological Seminary from 1948 to 1951 when he spent time here.
A Look Back: The Church's History
Calvary Baptist Church was founded in 1879 by a small group of people. These were individuals who had been freed from slavery. They moved to Chester from a place called Louisa County, Virginia. Before the church building was ready, they started holding prayer meetings. These meetings happened in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Basil Thompson, beginning in 1875.
On August 10, 1897, the church got its very own building. It was located at Second and Baker Streets. This building was made possible with money from Samuel A. Crozer. He was the brother of a wealthy textile manufacturer named John Price Crozer.
A very important part of the church's history involves Martin Luther King Jr.. He attended Calvary Baptist Church while he was a student. This was from 1948 to 1951. King's father asked the church's pastor, J. Pius Barbour, for help. Pastor Barbour agreed to look after King Jr. He also helped monitor his studies and activities at Crozer.
King became known as one of the "Sons of Calvary." This special group also included William Augustus Jones, Jr. and Samuel D. Proctor. King taught Sunday School and worked as a youth minister at Calvary Baptist. The church became like a second home to him. King often visited the Barbour house. He enjoyed the southern cooking and the interesting academic discussions. King and Barbour became "like father and son." King's biographer, Lawrence D. Reddick, said that Dr. King believed J. Pius Barbour was one of the most important people in his life.
In the mid-1950s, the church grew bigger. They bought and removed nearby homes. This allowed them to add a new chapel, Sunday School rooms, and areas for social activities.
In 1959, a civil rights leader named Muhammad Kenyatta was ordained as a minister. He was born Donald Jackson. He became a minister at Calvary Baptist Church when he was just 14 years old.
