About Calvary Baptist Church
Committed to Spreading God’s Word
A Baptist church in Hollywood, SC founded more than a century ago, Calvary Baptist Church is dedicated to letting more people hear God’s Word. Calvary Baptist Church has a rich history that reflects our mission to serve God and the community. It is our great desire to see our church achieve its goal and to welcome you into our congregation.
Our History
On the third Sunday of September, 1903, a group of Baptists, interested in beginning a church in the area, met with Brother August J. Neilsen, the pastor of the Cannon Street Baptist Church (later Rutledge Avenue Baptist Church, then Rutledge Memorial Baptist Church and now Grace on the Ashley) in Charleston. Brother Neilsen led a revival meeting in November, with one result being plans for the constitution of a new church. Calvary Baptist Church, Meggett, SC, was organized as the Yonges Island Baptist Church on February 28, 1904. The minutes of the church reveal that there were twelve (12) charter members. In a conference on March 2, 1904, the young congregation voted to secure land and build a meeting house. On July 31 of that same year, Brother Neilsen was officially called to be pastor. The Cannon Street congregation, which he also continued to serve, granted him permission to preach at Yonges Island on every third Lord’s Day of each month. He did so until October 30, 1907, at which time he began preaching two Sundays per month.
The first church building was completed in 1905 with a dedication service held on March 18, 1906, one month after the final payment was made. That structure was destroyed by a terrible storm in 1911. A second building was raised by the men of the church at the same site on Ethel Post Office Road the following year.
In February 1917, with financial aid from the South Carolina Baptist Convention, the growing congregation was able to call Brother Lauren H. Gardner as the first full-time pastor. It was under his leadership that the parsonage on Yonges Island was built. It was used by twelve pastors and their families before being sold in 1979.
Under the leadership of Pastor E. M. Altman, the church voted in December 1919 to seek a new site on which to build a brick church. A parcel of land located in Meggett was donated by Mr. & Mrs. B. J. Donaldson. The church name was changed to Calvary Baptist Church on March 14, 1920, and the new sanctuary was completed. The first service was held in the new building on June 17, 1921. The impressive gothic revival structure, which cost about $20,000, was completely paid for by August 7, 1927, while Rev. W. R. Corder was serving as pastor. Two thousand dollars was given by the Home Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention and all but $7,000 had been raised by the church before the construction began.
Under the leadership of Rev. J. W. Bass, pastor from 1945 until 1961, the educational building was built in 1951. In January 1980, Rev. Bass was named as pastor emeritus.
While Rev. Fred Martin was serving as pastor from 1963 - 1973, the property adjacent to the church was purchased. The entire church facility was air-conditioned in 1969 and several other improvements were made.
On June 11, 1978, Rev. E. Donald Bowick was called as pastor. During his service at Calvary, stained glass windows were installed in the sanctuary as well as new carpeting. In 1979, an addition was made to the educational building, including a large kitchen and enlargement of the fellowship hall along with a larger office and nursery and a restroom. Renovations were begun to the sanctuary in 1989 including an enlargement of the choir loft and redesign of the baptistry and adjacent classrooms. In September 1989, Hurricane Hugo hit, causing some damage to the sanctuary. The necessary repairs allowed for the complete renovation of the sanctuary with costs being covered by insurance. Rev. Bowick received his doctorate in May 1992. The pastor of longest tenure, Dr. Bowick, left Calvary in July 1999.
Join Our Church Celebration
Our goal at Calvary Baptist Church is to encourage more people to discover Christ’s teaching. If you wish to inquire about Calvary Baptist Church, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. You may also want to learn more about our church celebration. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
