The railroad moved westward. Two units of Buffalo soldiers were stationed in the Utah territory. Large hotels built in Salt Lake City recruited "colored" workers. Soon the number of African-Americans was sufficient to encourage the formation and development of their own institutions and organizations. To address their spiritual needs, Sister Emma Jackson joined with other Blacks and met in various homes. The group identified themselves as the "Baptist Prayer Band" and assembled regularly for worship, prayer, and Bible study.

The congregation soon outgrew the capacity of private homes. In June, 1896, the Reverend A.E. Reynolds announced in a black newspaper "The Broad Ax," that a building behind a white church was available as a place of worship for Black Baptists. The Calvary Baptist Congregation moved into an old frame building located downtown at 37 1/2 South West Temple Street. In January 1898, the Reverend D. Jones arrived in Salt Lake City from Topeka, Kansas, to pastor the Calvary Missionary Baptist Church.

The energetic Reverend J.W. Washington replaced Pastor Jones in 1901. His leadership was instrumental in the church's financial and membership growth. The congregation continued to worship in what the Salt Lake Herald newspaper described as the "little colored house of worship in the alley off West Temple Street."

On February 8, 1902, Pastor Washington and the membership invited the entire community to an old fashioned "Possum Dinner" fund raiser. Sister Lloyd Blanchard, who came from Kentucky in 1883 to preside over Governor Murray's kitchen, led sisters Fannie Barker, Emma Jackson, and Nellie Johnson along with brothers Lloyd Blanchard and Anderson J. Spears, in preparing and serving the "elaborate spread."

Later a reception was held at their new chapel located at 474 East Second South, on Sunday, June 19, 1902. Under the Reverend J.H. Allen, the 1906 annual report by church clerk Mrs. N. J. Atkinson shows a mortgage balance of $1,393.00 in January, 1907.

The Eastside Baptist Church site was purchased from the Emmanuel Baptist Church and the Calvary congregation held their first services on February 5, 1911.

The May 30, 1914 issue of "The Western Light," "published in the interests of the colored race," printed pictures of the recently departed Pastor Allen Newmas as well as the newly arrived Pastor M.H. and Mrs. Senora Wilkinson. In 1919, Pastor George W. Hart, who formerly read and practiced law, organized the Salt Lake NAACP in response to an act of brutality by soldiers against a group of Calvary young ladies. Under the Reverend Hart, the Calvary Baptist Church of Salt Lake City was incorporated on May 11, 1921. Conflict arose within the congregation when the Reverend Hart organized and became moderator of the Utah-Idaho Baptist Association in 1922.

Between 1924 and 1954, Calvary's eight pastors provided leadership in various areas. The Reverend Charles Spencer established and directed a free employment bureau for Salt Lake Negroes in 1937. The Reverent William A. Lucas came from Wenatchi, Washington, during the mid-1940s and published a magazine entitled "The Rocky Mountain Messenger." The Reverend W.L. Holloway used "Tribes" and clubs to supplement the church income between 1948 and 1950.

The practice of holding communion on the first Sunday evening was initiated by the Reverend A.W.T. Chism in 1951. The Reverend L.R. Agent established the voucher and checking account financial system by late 1951.

The Reverend W.I. Monroe came to pastor the Calvary congregation in March 1954. He led in publishing a monthly paper entitled "The Reflector," in establishing a unified budget and building fund project. That project started with a dime and resulted in marching to a $55,940 facility at 532 East 700 South on November, 13, 1966.

Between 1968 and 1971, the Reverend John H. Johnson helped to resolve the burdensome indebtedness. Pastor Henry Hudson, with an accounting background, continued the consolidation of church finances.

In February 1974, the young Reverend France A. Davis was called to pastor the historic Calvary congregation. During his tenure, Calvary has dedicated the Calvary Towers low income elderly housing complex adjacent to the church on July 30, 1989. A 10/36 Educational Scholarship Fund was initiated in 1992. Young ministers and laypersons are encouraged to seek out and secure as much formal Biblical and spiritual training as possible. Our youth are affirmed, the worship services are alive and moving and the community needs are met.

The Calvary Missionary Baptist Church of Salt Lake City continues to serve the spiritual needs as well as whatever hurts those in our community. While predominately African-American in membership, fellowship is available to anyone who accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Service is our motto and sharing is our method.

Utah's African-American Voices is made possible by the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation, the R. Harold Burton Foundation, the Lawrence T. and Janet T. Dee Foundation, and the Herbert I. and Elsa B. Michael Foundation.

Archival Photo Credit: Utah State Historical Society, all rights reserved.