The Calvary Baptist Church has been a beacon of hope and spiritual birth in the San Diego, CA, Barrio Logan community for over 137 years.  In 1889, Calvary was established as the First Street Baptist Church, located at 1st and B Street.  In 1926, the church moved to its current location at the corner of Crosby (now Cesar E. Chavez Parkway) and Julian Street and was renamed Calvary Baptist Church.

In 1952, Rev. under Rev. S.M. Lockridge, the church experienced an enormous increase in membership and broke ground for the current sanctuary. The church continued to expand its real-estate holdings, with the purchase of eight properties in the vicinity of the main sanctuary and two parsonages, one on San Miguel Ave. and the other on Monona Drive in La Mesa, CA.

Calvary became one of the most noted Sanctuary choirs in the city of San Diego.  The choir was requested to provide music for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s speaking engagement at the United States International University.  Calvary also became an integral part of the Progressive Baptist District Association, the California Baptist State Convention and the National Missionary Baptist State Convention, under Dr. Lockridge’s pastoral leadership.

Following Rev Lockridge’s retirement in 1993, Rev. Willie James Smith was called as the Senior Pastor in 1994 where he initiated and expanded a number of ministries including Winter Bible Study, the Grief Management Ministry, Friday Night Live Youth Ministry, Hands of Praise Deaf Ministry, Altar Workers Ministry, Adults Away Ministry, Greeter’s ministry, Power Partners Couple’s ministry, the Multi-Media ministry.  The church also expanded its Outreach ministry, sending missionaries to the continent of Africa and providing educational assistance for young girls in the village of Ghana, West Africa.  Through the multi-media ministry, the Calvary worship services were broadcast over the internet and radio and the church website was created. 

In April 2023 the Calvary Baptist Church, called Dr.  Kevin E. Stafford to Pastoral Leadership. We’re excited for what’s in store for the Historic Calvary Baptist Church in the years to come. 

For full stories and photos only published in print, pick up a paper at a newsstand near you, or check out the latest edition of our newspaper on Thursday each week.