Calvary Baptist Church

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The Early Years (1850-1914)

Calvary Baptist Church traces its origins to 1850, when residents of Mountain Cove in Nelson County recognized the need for a place of worship. They constructed a small one-room building called the “Liberty Meeting House,” which served as the only place of worship in the Lovingston area.

This humble building welcomed all denominations for many years, including enslaved African Americans. Beyond religious services, it functioned as both a public meeting place and a school, serving the broader community’s needs.

Formation and Growth (1914-1948)

In 1914, Lovingston Baptist Church was formally organized when a small group from Mountain Cove sought to establish an evangelical presence in the growing village. Key founding members included Deacons Billie Burnett, J.A. Stevens, and Alex Stevens, who helped organize what became Lovingston Baptist Church.

The church’s influence expanded significantly during this period. A cooperative ministry was established among five churches—Mountain Cove, Lovingston, Shipman, Oak Hill, and Walnut Grove—sharing a part-time pastor whose salary was collectively funded.

Mission Expansion (1948-1963)

Mountain Cove’s commitment to outreach led to another missionary effort in 1948, this time extending into Freshwater Cove. Deacon W.T. Stevens Sr. organized a Mission Sunday School in a one-room schoolhouse within the community, though transportation challenges eventually arose.

The Modern Era (1955-1976)

In February 1955, the church experienced a significant transition when Rev. John Johnson became the full-time minister at Ridgecrest Church. Under his leadership, the congregation grew substantially.

Growth Through Transition

As the community evolved, many church members relocated from the area, presenting challenges for the congregation. However, rather than allowing these changes to diminish their ministry, the church leadership took decisive action to ensure continued growth and service.

In 1960, Lovingston Baptist Church invited the Mountain Cove congregation to join them as one church and build a larger building. With much prayer, the churches sold their property and purchased land from the W.M. Tunstall estate on Route 29 in Lovingston. A new church was erected on this property in 1961, and the congregation chose “Calvary” for its name.

The newly formed Calvary Baptist Church continued to thrive and expand its ministry. On May 18, 1974, the church held a note-burning ceremony, celebrating becoming debt-free. With a growing enrollment that needed more space, an educational building was constructed in 1978, providing needed space for Sunday School rooms and a large fellowship hall. The debt for this building was paid off on January 16, 1991.

Calvary Baptist Church has continued to experience sustained growth over the decades. In 2001, they broke ground on a $1.2 million expansion project to include a new 480-seat Worship Center and additional facilities. The congregation moved into their new building on March 23, 2003, demonstrating the church’s ongoing vitality and commitment to serving the Lovingston community.

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This history represents almost two centuries of faith, community service, and spiritual growth in Nelson County, Virginia. The church’s legacy includes not only religious worship but also education, community fellowship, and outreach that extended throughout the region.

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Pastors of Calvary Baptist Church

• Rev. Robert Taylor (1956 – 1958)
• Rev. James Lowder (1958 – 1964)
• Rev. Linwood Coffman (1965 – 1967)
• Rev. John Gordon (1967 – 1974)
• Rev. Ross Terry (1974 – 1975)
• Rev. John Campbell (1975 – 2009)
• Dr. Benjamin Owens (2009 – 2010) Interim
• Rev. Dan Harvey (2010 – 2011) Interim
• Rev. A.C. Smith (2011 – 2017)
• Rev. Jerry G. Humphrey (2017-2023)
• Rev. Tyler Lucas (2024-Present)