Calvary Baptist Church began in 1910 as a Sunday School sponsored by members of First Baptist Church of Tuscaloosa.

The first meetings were held in the homes of Mr. and Mrs. John J. Davenport and Mr. and Mrs. W. Z. Jones. The first house of worship was built by Mr. F. W. Monnish as a memorial to his son, Sage.

On January 1, 1911, The Sage A. Monnish Memorial Baptist Church was organized with seventy-seven (77) charter members.

The Reverend John Henry Barber served as the first pastor from 1911 to 1913. He was succeeded by:

* Reverend L. T. Reeves: 1913-1919
* Reverend E. L. Edens: 1919-1922
* Reverend Judson R. Martin: 1922-1927
* Reverend A. D. Kennett: 1928-1933

During 1925 there was both growth and tragedy.

Three additional lots were donated by Mrs. F. W. Monnish and construction began on a new building. Mr. W. H. Nichols served as chairman of the building committee and Mr. H. A. Edwards, Sr. as treasurer. At this time, upon the request of the Monnish family, the name of the church was changed to Calvary Baptist Church.

On December 5, 1925,  both the old and almost completed new building were destroyed by fire. Plans were made immediately to rebuild. The new sanctuary was completed and the first service was held exactly one year later on December 5, 1926.

Dr. Horace G. Williams served as pastor from 1933 until his retirement in March, 1960. He was elected Pastor Emeritus and served in this position until his death in 1982.

Dr. Allan R. Watson came to Calvary as pastor in 1960 and served until his retirement in October, 1984. He was elected Pastor Emeritus in 1987.

Calvary has demonstrated mission commitment through church starting and assistance both locally and worldwide:

* Forest Lake Baptist began as a Mission Sunday School sponsored by Calvary.
* South Highlands Baptist Church - 1952
* Ridgecrest Baptist Church - 1957
* Skyland Boulevard Baptist Church - 1962
* Lakeview Baptist Church
* Assistance to Lakeside Mission, Pittsburgh, PA
* Assistance to Wood Village Baptist Church, Tuscaloosa
* Assistance to Baptist Church in Quaquil, Ecuador

Dr. Timothy L. Owings served as pastor from April 1986 through April 1990. Under his leadership Calvary completely renovated the educational buildings and upgraded parking.

In January 1991 Dr. Bruce G. Chesser was called as the 9th pastor of Calvary Baptist Church.

The Long Range Planning Committee began developing plans for future enlargement/renovation of the facilities. In 1994 those plans were put into action in a four-phased building program. 

Phase One included the complete renovation of the Worship Center. The auditorium was stripped to the studs and everything within the walls of the sanctuary was replaced. The lighting was upgraded, a new sound system was added, and the beautiful pipe organ was restored and enhanced.

The choir loft area was enlarged and the upper transepts were made accessible.

Additionally, a new entrance area with an elevator that serviced all five levels of the church was added.

Phase One was completed at a cost of $1.6 million.

Phase Two was the construction of multi-purpose Family Life Center. This $2.3 million facility was built on the site of an old apartment complex to the south of the church.

The Family Life Center includes educational space, a modern gymnasium, a gathering area, recreational area, a walking track, a spacious modern kitchen, and several offices.

Phase Three was the addition to the College Annex. This $800,000 project added a large worship area that could accommodate over 300 students, a kitchen, a lobby area, new restrooms, a new sound system, and the updating of additional classroom space in the older part of the building.

Phase Four was the renovation of the old gym into modern Sunday School space.

The upper level has become a wonderful youth area to enhance Calvary's student ministry.

The lower level serves as adult educational space and adds a number of restrooms to the educational building.

The final touches of phase four included an open air walkway that connected the old and new buildings, a modern playground in between the buildings and a heated/cooled passageway to the east side of the facility that would connect all of the building.

Additional parking was also added on the south side of the Family Life Center.

This project was completed at a cost of approximately $1 million.

In 1999 Tim Plant became the Minister of Education and Administration.

In June 2003, Dr. Chesser concluded his pastorate to assume a new position in Little Rock, Arkansas

In August 2004, Dr. Walter Jackson was called as the tenth Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, coming from the ministerial staff of First Baptist Church, Jackson, Mississippi.

Also in August of 2004, Frank Jones was called as Assistant Minister of Music/Minister to Senior Adults.

While our history is bright we are convinced that our greatest days are yet to come. We pledge to build on the work of those that have gone before us but to press on toward the future knowing that there is much yet to be done.

We believe that God has put us here "for such a time as this." Join with us as we build on our rich heritage and as we move toward the future with great anticipation.