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. After twenty-six years of worshiping in the basement, Reverend Talmadge led Calvary in putting a top on the basement of the church at 86th and Erwig Avenue. A beautiful main sanctuary was added in 1952. In 1960, due to the Elmwood (now called Eastwick) Redevelopment Program, Calvary Baptist Church was forced to relocate.
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 Talmadge was instrumental in making many of the improvements to our present edifice. The choir loft was remodeled and enlarged; the pulpit was enlarged; a new heating system was installed; the church was completely air-conditioned; the lower auditorium was remodeled; a new kitchen was installed; an addition to the main sanctuary houses, the Pastor's Study, Trustee Room and Nurses Station on the upper level and a Choir Room on the lower level. The Calvary Baptist Church main auditorium seats approximately 350 people. The lower auditorium seats approximately 200 people. The Church owns the properties 518-540 North Robinson Street. On this site is a parking lot for approximately 18 cars. The Calvary Older Adult Center Satellite was organized on July 18, 1983 for all seniors in the area sixty years of age or older. In 1987, we entered the computer age with our first database and a fifteen-passenger van was purchased to transport our members to and from church.
Reverend Emerson Talmadge retired on September 22, 1991. During his pastorate, the following Associate Ministers served as Assistant to the Pastor: Reverend Prince Albert Williams, Reverend Frank Brown who started the Sunday Early Worship Service in 1962, Reverend Eugene Cliett, Reverend Lee Washington and Reverend Charles Washington. 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 July 18, 1993, he assumed the full duties of 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.
In the latter part of 1993, Calvary purchased and remodeled the property at 6118 Haverford Avenue, named the Church Annex. Under Pastor Cherry's leadership, another parking lot was built on Robinson Street. New steel doors were installed in the sanctuary. In November of 1994 a new Hammond/Leslie Organ was purchased and in 1995, a set of drums were purchased. The following ministries were started in Calvary:
- Audio Video Ministry
- Singles Ministry
- Prison Ministry
- Homeless/Street Tract Ministry
- Marriage Works Ministry
- Christian Charm/Man In Demand Class
- Measure of a Man Class
- Prayer Partners Crusade
- Literacy Program
Pastor Cherry taught the Evangelism Explosion III Class, the Deacons Training Class and the Deaconesses Training Class.
Three new auxiliaries were formed:
- Calvary Male Chorus
- Calvary Male Ushers
- The New Life Inspirational Choir
An annual Fall Tent Revival and Community Picnic were started on the parking lot. The choir room was relocated and the church office was enlarged and remodeled.
The "Church Chat" newsletter was resumed in January 1995. It is issued monthly and is a publication that provides spiritual inspiration; family, health, and member news; black history; puzzles; plenty of scriptures; and general information.
A Children's Church was started during the 10:45am worship service. Due to overcrowding conditions during at the 10:45am service another service was added at 7:45am.
Calvary grew steadily under the pastorates of:
- Reverend Emerson Talmadge 1949-1991
- Reverend Jerome Cherry 1993-1997
Pastor Cherry resigned from Calvary in March 1997. He then formed the New
Life In Christ Baptist Church.
Under the leadership of Deacon Raymond T. Burns, Chairman of the Deacon Board and Trustee Morris Jarrett, Chairman of the Trustee Board many improvements were made.
In May 1997, the video system was installed in the Church Annex and shortly thereafter another van was purchased. In September 1997, a Pulpit Committee was formed to search for a new Pastor.
Reverend Joseph A. Peterson was elected to the position of Interim Minister on January 26, 1998. In October 2000, a new Pulpit Committee was formed to search for a new Pastor. Reverend Peterson served as Interim Minister until April 2001.
6114 Haverford Avenue was purchased in May 1998 and is now known as Annex #2. The necessary repairs were made and the building is now being used for Sunday School Classes, Children's Church, New Members Discipleship Classes and various auxiliary, ministry and committee meetings. It is also used as a polling place for Primary and General Elections and for Community Block Committee meetings.
The front steps of the church have been widened and new wrought iron railings were installed. On Sunday, July 26, 1998 the lower auditorium of the church was dedicated and named in honor of our beloved Pastor, the Late Reverend Emerson Talmadge, Sr. It was named Talmadge Fellowship Hall. A plaque with his picture was placed on the wall in his memory. It was confirmed by City Councilman Michael Nutter, that the five hundred block of North Robinson Street would also be named Talmadge Way in honor of Pastor Talmadge's many years of dedicated service to Philadelphia and this community.
The main sanctuary renovations began in February 1999. The pews and chairs were restored, new carpet was installed, and the ceiling was repaired and painted, as were the walls and foyer. We were able to resume worship services in the beautiful main sanctuary on Mother's Day, May 9, 1999. The Church Office was moved from the rear of the Talmadge Fellowship Hall to the first floor of Annex #1.
A Sports Ministry for our youth has been formed that includes a basketball team for ages 7 to 17 and a track team for all ages. Members are being instructed in our Effective Leadership Class and in our Computer Lab. In addition to our Wednesday evening Bible Study we also have a Wednesday afternoon Bible Study
As we began a new millennium Philadelphia Suburban Development Corporation blessed us with the generous donation of the paving of our upper parking lot. Under the direction of Deacon Raymond T. Burns, Chairman of the Deacon Board and newly elected chairman of the Trustee Board, Trustee Kevin M. Gary, ceiling fans and new lights were installed in our sanctuary.
In the summer of 2000, Calvary Agape Outreach Services was formed. During July and August of 2000 a Day Camp was opened to our Calvary Family and the Community. In June 2001, free lunches were made available to the community.
In 2002, a Share Program was started and through this program food and clothing are distributed and free meals are served on Wednesday. A new restroom was added on the Sanctuary level of the church.
Deacon Anton Hackett, Sr. served as Chairman of the Deacon Board from January 2001 to November 2002 and God continued to bless Calvary On March 21, 2002 the 500 block of North Robinson Street was officially named Pastor Talmadge Way and the street signs were placed under the North Robinson Street signs.
Pastor Garth G. Gittens was elected Pastor on October 3, 2002 and assumed the full duties of Pastor-Elect on January 5, 2003. On Sunday, March 30, 2003 Reverend Garth G. 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 1st Timothy 3:17. He has a beautiful family and is the husband of 26 years to his childhood sweetheart Gillian. Together they have two children: Andre 24, a graduate of Portland State University and is currently working as a chemist at Baxtor Pharmaceuticals and Gabriel, a bright fun loving 12 year old who is a student at Glen Landing Middle School in Blackwood New Jersey. He also believes from a biblical perspective in the unity and the inclusiveness of all members of Calvary Baptist Church.
Under the leadership of Pastor Gittens, the Pastor's Study was enlarged and renovated; the Trustees Room was relocated to larger quarters in the rear of the Talmadge Fellowship Hall, the property at 6116 Haverford Avenue was acquired and is being used for various ministry meetings. The properties on 62nd Street were acquired. Pastor Gittens instituted the Free Breakfast that is offered between the Morning Worship Services, Calvary Baptist Church "Streams of Victory" Sunday Morning Sermon on Gospel Highway 11 Radio Station, 1:00 pm Afternoon Bible Study, 7:00 pm Friday evening Prayer Service and the upgrade of the Audio Sound System.
The Lord has blessed the following ministries and celebrations that have been formed and instituted at Calvary under the divine direction of Pastor Gittens:
A dedicated Sunday for Baptism Worship Services
Annual All Choirs Day Celebration
Annual Black History Month Celebration
Annual Caribbean Night Celebration
Calvary Baptist Church Mass Choir
Calvary Baptist Church Mass Choir Musicians
Calvary Baptist Church Praise & Worship Ministry
Calvary Baptist Church Praise Dance Ministry
Culinary Ministry
Deacons Ministry: Six new deacons have been added and 3 additional deacons are in training.
Marriage Enhancement Ministry
Media Ministry
Ministers: Four new ministers ordained
Second Service reinstated
Security Ministry
Senior's Ministry
Special Events Ministry
Talmadge Fellowship Hall Remodeled: Complete new kitchen with new appliances (stove, freezer and refrigerator) and expansion of Men and Ladies bathrooms.
Visitation & Discipleship Ministry
Trustee Room remodeled
Children's Church: Pre-school to 12 yrs old, exceeding the capacity of one building. There is a need to add another building for additional space and our First Lady; Evangelist Gillian Gittens is the director.
Youth Planning Ministry
Youth Jam 4 Jesus (YJ4J)
Pastor Gittens also restructured the following ministries:
Music Ministry under the direction of a Minister of Music
New Members Discipleship Class taught by Pastor Gittens once a month
Prayer Ministry is now the Intercessory Prayer Ministry
Presidents Council is now the Ministry Leaders Council
Trustees Ministry: Finance Ministry, the Stewardship and Internal Audit Committees, which are arms of the Finance Ministry