In the year 1885, a few members of the First Baptist Church in Norristown opened a mission Sunday School in a stone stable on the corner of Haws Avenue and Marshall Street. Two years later this Sunday School was organized as a thriving Second Baptist Church of Norristown.
The first chapel was the building at the side of the present sanctuary. Today it contains the church office and a large meeting room with a stage. Known as Hainer Hall now, it was built in 1889.
The name of that room honors the fourth pastor of the church, Levi W. Hainer. It was under his leadership that the sanctuary, with a fellowship hall beneath it, was built. In 1902 the cornerstone was laid and the name of the church was changed to Calvary Baptist. Under Pastor Hainer’s leadership the Sunday School had grown to an enrollment of over 1000. To provide classrooms for a Sunday Bible School for all ages of participants, a new three-story education building was erected in 1928.
Our church is one of over 120 churches of the
Philadelphia Baptist Association. Through our association with other Baptist churches, we are able to fulfill our Christian mission in the nearby region, within the United States and to many other nations in the world.
The Church is people, often referred to as the congregation. Facts about the building are only part of the history of the congregation. Considering where our house of worship is located, we recognize that we serve a particular community. As the community changes, our ministry changes in order to continue providing the message of the Christian Gospel in Norristown and extending throughout Central Montgomery County. In addition to cooperative mission work in the region, nation, and overseas, Calvary sponsors weekly English classes, a Children’s Learning Center, and a hot lunch every Monday for people in need.
As Baptists, we cherish the freedom Christ has granted to us as individual believers and congregations. We have a Church Covenant that we read together at every communion service. That signifies our common agreement to serve and worship God, to assist each other and to carry the Christian message throughout the world.
