Contributed by FirstCalvary Baptist Church

Stained glass windows depicting a story from the Bible and a Fruit of the Spirit welcome worshippers to the new sanctuary of the First Calvary Baptist Church.

In March of 2003, the First Calvary Baptist church congregation voted to begin construction of a new church on their location.

First Calvary Church was founded over 140 years ago and is one of the oldest African–American churches in Columbia. The first church was built in 1875 on Richland Street. The church later built a new church at the current location on Pine Street in 1950.

At the head table at the dedication banquet sits Arbora Lewis, Rev. Samuel K. Lewis, Weldon Hammond, Loretta Hammond, and Rev. John Grant. In August of the same year, the congregation broke ground on the $4.1 million project which would include a total of 31,457 feet. The sanctuary has a seating capacity of 607 and the choir loft seats 67. They also included a fellowship hall and a prayer garden. The bell from the first location of the church on Richland Street is in the prayer garden.

On July 15, 2005, the church held a dedication banquet at the Swinton Center on Benedict College campus to celebrate the completion of the construction and the first service to be held in the church on August 7.

Three generations of church members celebrate the new church. (l–r) Verita Cannon, Steve Cannon, Joshua Cannon, Candace Cannon, Dennis Cannon Sr., and Georgia Cannon.