Calvary Baptist Church (Manhattan) facts for kids
Calvary Baptist Church is a church located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. It is found on West 57th Street, close to Carnegie Hall. As of 2025, the church is using a temporary location. This is because its main building on West 57th Street was taken down and is being replaced.
Church History
The church started in 1847. Its first building was finished in 1854. Later, in 1883–1884, the church moved to its current spot. The building there was made of red stone and had a Gothic style.
Broadcasting and Radio
In 1923, Calvary Baptist Church was one of the first churches to have its own radio station. Since then, it has continued to share its message through radio. The church still produces a weekly radio show called "Tell It From Calvary." You can hear this show on the radio station WMCA.
A Skyscraper Church
The building at 123 West 57th Street was special. It was one of the first "skyscraper" churches in a city. This means it was a very tall building, 16 stories high. It also included a hotel called the Hotel Salisbury. Planning for this tall building began in 1929, and it was opened in 1931.
Famous people have visited Calvary Baptist Church. Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton, who were both presidents, worshipped there. Well-known preachers like Billy Graham and Billy Sunday also gave sermons at the church.
Recent Changes
In 2019, some developers announced plans to buy the church's land. They wanted to build a new, taller tower. This new building would include a church area, offices, and shops. In early 2020, Calvary Baptist Church and the Salisbury Hotel closed. This was to get ready for the old building to be taken down.
After a short delay, the church's property was sold in 2021. The demolition of the old building began in 2022. In 2023, the church started leasing space at a synagogue on 86th Street for its services.
Church Leaders
Many pastors have led Calvary Baptist Church over the years. Here are some of them:
- 1847-1849 David Bellamy
- 1850-1852 John Dowling
- 1852-1863 A. D. Gillette
- 1864-1869 R. J. W. Buckled
- 1870-1911 Robert Stuart MacArthur
- 1915-1917 Joseph W. Kemp
- 1918-1929 John Roach Straton. During his time, the church was known for its efforts to make society better based on his beliefs.
- 1930-1934 Will H. Houghton. He later became the fourth president of Moody Bible Institute.
- 1936-1949 William Ward Ayer. He was considered one of Manhattan's most important people.
- 1950-1957 John Summerfield Wimbish
- 1959-1973 Stephen F. Olford. Under his leadership, the church worked to overcome prejudice. It became a place where people of all backgrounds were welcome.
- 1976-1986 Dr. Donald R. Hubbard
- 1989-1994 James O. Rose Jr.
- 1997–2018 David Paul Epstein
- 2022–present Abraham Joseph
