Calvary Apostolic Church

The Calvary Apostolic Church Family is a group of New Testament, Spirit-filled believers. We are ethnically diverse, coming together from the entire Columbus metro area because we have found a community where we can worship, learn and grow together. Our ministry is Christ-centered, and our preaching is Bible-based, anointed, and relevant to everyday life. Our worship is vertical: our mission is horizontal. We invite you to experience the difference you can have when the hope of Christ is a part of your life!

The Calvary Church family traces its roots to a revival service at a small mission on West Goodale Street pastored by Elder R. C. Lawson. William Thomas Witherspoon heard Elder G. T. Haywood preach the message of Jesus’ Name during that revival, receiving the revelation of the Mighty God in Christ Jesus. In 1917, Bro. Witherspoon opened a small church on Brehl Avenue. This building had a seating capacity of 100 people, however, under the dynamic leadership of Pastor Witherspoon, the congregation had outgrown the facilities by 1920.

The church family, known as the Apostolic Gospel Church, soon moved to 50 Hayden Avenue; the new building had room for 250 people, but by 1927, it was remodeled to seat 450. However, by 1935, the new facilities had become too small, and the congregation moved to 1074 West Broad Street, where 700 people would be able to worship together.

In 1947, Bro. Witherspoon passed away following a lengthy illness. After 30 years of his dynamic leadership, the congregation struggled with the decision to find the will of God for the right man to succeed their founding pastor. In 1948, George C. Chambers, who had served closely with Bro. Witherspoon, was acknowledged as God’s choice to serve as the new pastor. The name of the church was changed to Calvary Apostolic Church, and on September 1st, 1948, the congregation held its first service at 38 W. Greenwood Avenue, our present location.

Under Bro. Chambers’ capable leadership, the church continued to grow. By the mid 1960's, the sanctuary had become too small. In September of 1966, the grounds immediately adjacent to the original building were broken for a new sanctuary, which was completed in 1967.

In 1975, Bro. Chambers submitted his retirement to the church, and his assistant, James K. Stewart, was elected to pastor at Calvary. Bro. Stewart had worked with Bro. Chambers beginning in the early 1950s, and his progressive leadership style led to many innovations at Calvary. He influenced the creation of a Campus Ministry at OSU, the Calvary Christian Academy, and an evening Bible Training Institute. In addition to being a lifelong student, Brother Stewart was the consummate teacher, and he faithfully served the Calvary Family until his untimely death in 1986.

At the time of Bro. Stewart’s death, Bro. Robert Ferguson was elected as Calvary’s pastor, and he served until his resignation in 1989. Bro. Sam Elledge was chosen to succeed him. In 1992, Bro. Elledge resigned, and Bro. James H. Stark was elected as Calvary’s pastor. Bro. Stark and his wife, Christine, are actively involved in the work of the Lord in Columbus, and their burden extends to an active involvement in foreign missions work in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. Pastor Stark continues to serve the Calvary family to the present.

Calvary has a long history of active community outreach. The Calvary bus ministry has operated for more than fifty years, and Calvary’s Sunday School program is legendary in the city of Columbus. Thousands of children from every area of the city have been loved, nurtured, and taught Biblical truth through the efforts of faithful Sunday School teachers and children’s workers. In the 1930's and 40's, Calvary supported a thriving congregation of Italian immigrants who had difficulties with English. These first generation immigrants passed on or assimilated into the English-speaking culture and the need for an Italian-language ministry was alleviated, however, their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren are members of Calvary today.

In 1998, seeing the need for an outreach to the growing Hispanic population of Columbus, Calvary brought Bro. Felipe Matos to work with Spanish-speaking people. After several years of consistent growth, a Spanish church was formed. The congregation that had been formed from a burden for ministry to the Spanish speaking people of our city became a thriving Hispanic church planted in the heart of downtown Columbus.

This sketch of Calvary’s rich history serves to testify to our bright and promising future. You are in the exciting position to be a very real part of our future! Our history is a strong foundation for future innovations and ministries to be created in the near future. We invite you to join us in writing the pages of Calvary’s finest days, which lie just ahead!