In 1927, 22 African Americans of faith living in Garfield, New Jersey had a dream and desire to begin a church in the city where they resided. Initially, they met for Sunday School in a store located on Frederick Street. After many obstacles and stumbling blocks, their dream became a reality and on May 8, 1927, Rev. Greene organized the Mount Calvary Baptist Church in a building on Morrell Place in Garfield. Rev. Elisha L. Harrison would become the first pastor. As was common in the early 1900's, pastors did not remain in churches for a long period of time. Such was the case with many of the men who served Calvary in the formative years. In October of 1927, Rev. Freeman became the second pastor. On April 11, 1928, Rev. Lewis Cherry became the third pastor of the church. In 1929, under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Mosley (the fourth pastor), the Mount Calvary Baptist Church changed its name to the Calvary Baptist Church and relocated to 419 Harrison Avenue. Rev. Mosley was followed by several men who served Calvary for short periods of time. They were: Rev. J. A. Reynolds (1930) and Rev. B. B. Burgess (1931). In 1933, Rev. W. H. Culbreath became the next pastor of Calvary Baptist Church. Under his pastorate the decision was made to purchase the building located at 419 Harrison Avenue. The cost of the building was $3,500 and the members wanted to remodel it and change its appearance from a factory to a place of worship. From 1943 - 1956, Rev. Floville Albert LaGarde served as Calvary's pastor. Under his leadership, the church became a member of the North Jersey Baptist Association, the mortgage was burned and the cornerstone was laid. His wife, Claudia LaGarde served as the church musician; the music ministry flourished and Calvary's choirs were noted for their great singing. Rev. LaGarde ended his pastoral duties at Calvary in 1956 after serving 13 years. On the first Sunday in August 1957, the Rev. Joseph J. Robinson became the next pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church. Rev. Robinson was noted for his organization and development of a Youth Department. Under his pastorate, Rev. Robinson licensed to preach and ordained into the ministry, the Rev. Ellis Freeman. Other notable accomplishments attained during Rev. Robinson's tenure were:
1) the interior of the church was completely renovated;
2) organization of the youth in various church and civic organizations;
3) the building of an interfaith relationship between various denominations in the community;
4) first African American pastor in the community to speak at local graduations and participate in civic activities in the city and 5) he also accomplished a great deal of work in the Community Center in Garfield. In June 1972, the call was extended to Passaic native, Calvin McKinney to serve as pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church. To date, his tenure is the longest of his predecessors. In the years since assuming the leadership of the Calvary Baptist Church of North Jersey at Garfield, Pastor McKinney continues to work diligently to lead Calvary in becoming a viable Christian witness or as he would put it, "the light of the world and salt of the earth." One of his first tasks was to make Calvary an informed congregation, in religious, civic and political matters. This has been done through the reorganization of all auxiliaries and boards of Calvary into a six-fold ministry. In order to mature to such a level, Christian Education was and still is paramount in the life of Calvary since 1972. "The Mission for the Calvary Baptist Church of North Jersey at Garfield is to become a People who have been "Taught and Grown" according to God's Word." During Pastor McKinney's tenure, some great and notable preachers have graced our pulpit; Rev. Cameron M. Alexander, Rev. Johnnie Ray Youngblood, Rev. Al Sharpton, Rev. Manuel Scott, Rev. W. Franklyn Richardson, Rev. Caesar A. W. Clark, just to name a few. Not only has Calvary been exposed to great preachers, but government officials as well; Gov. Christie Todd Whitman, former Gov. James McGreevy and Gov. John Corzine along with the local government officials in Passaic and Bergen Counties. In 2003, led by the vision given by God, Pastor McKinney guided the people of God called Calvary in the construction of a $10 million, 1,500 seat sanctuary, which includes Educational, Fellowship and Administrative Complexes; all to the glory of God, the edification of fellow believers and the salvation of humankind. Because of Pastor McKinney's leadership, we are on our way "From Victory to a New Beginning" | 
