Formerly located in Southwest section of Philadelphia,PA known to many as Elemwood,Calvary Baptist Church was organized in May 1906.

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The late Reverend George Lee Robinson was called to be the first Pastor and served until his death in 1918. Other ministers serving in the capacity of Pastor are as follows:

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In 1948, Reverend Prince Albert Williams, an Associate Minister of Calvary, was elected Interim Pastor and served until Reverend Emerson Talmadge was elected Pastor in 1949. Under the pastorate of Reverend Emerson Talmadge, the membership grew and the Church was blessed spiritually and financially. In 1960, due to the Elmwood (now called Eastwick) Redevelopment Program, Calvary Baptist Church was forced to relocate.

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Reverend Talmadge led the congregation to purchase our present sanctuary at 6122-24 Haverford Avenue in the West Philadelphia section of the city on July 23, 1961 by motorcade from Elmwood to our new home, which was paid in full.

Reverend Emerson Talmadge retired on September 22, 1991. Reverend Charles Washington was elected Interim Minister of Calvary Baptist Church in December 1991 after the retirement of Reverend Emerson Talmadge. Reverend Talmadge went home to be with the Lord on July 17, 1993.

On June 8, 1993, Reverend Jerome Cherry became Pastor-Elect. On Sunday, October 31, 1993 Reverend Jerome Cherry was officially installed as the Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church. Pastor Cherry was a committed young Christian Bible Teacher and Preacher.

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Reverend Joseph A. Peterson was elected to the position of Interim Minister on January 26, 1998 and served until April 2001.

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Dr. Garth Gabriel Gittens was elected Pastor on October 3, 2002. On Sunday, March 30, 2003 Dr. Gittens was officially installed as the Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church. Pastor Gittens is an anointed and dynamic Bible Teacher and Preacher who holds tenaciously to the biblical standard for marriage, particularly, the standard for pastors found in First Timothy 3:1-7. Pastor married his Childhood sweetheart First Lady Evangelist Dr. Gillian Gittens. They have two sons, a daughter in-law, and 5 beautiful granddaughters. Our Daughter church, CBC South Jersey is currently led by Pastor Andre and First Lady Adrienne Gittens their five daughters are A’kiyah, Amara, Alana, Andrea and Aria Gittens. While, Pastor Gabe Gittens is the current Youth and Assistant Pastor of Calvary Philly. He also believes in the biblical standard of inclusiveness of all members of Calvary Baptist Church. Under the leadership of Pastor Gittens and consistent with the Calvary pattern of growth, the membership continues to flourish.