Calvary Church has been active in ministry for the glory of God since 1939. In 2019, we celebrated our 80th anniversary!

May 21, 1939
Bible Presbyterian Church Unaffiliated opens in uptown Charlotte at the old Central High School. The first pastor is Edgar Archer Dillard, who serves until 1946.

1941
In July 1941, a brick church building was built at 1800 East Fourth Street to seat 750 people. One of the founding elders of the church is Frank Graham, the father of Billy Graham. Prominent preachers visit the church, including Dr. J. Oliver Buswell, Dr. Allan MacRae, Dr. Jack Murray, and Dr. Harry A. Ironside. Billy Graham, and the Wilson brothers, T.W. and Grady, preach some of their first sermons from the Fourth Street pulpit.

1948–1958
Dr. L. Pointdexter “Dexter” McClenny becomes pastor, serving until 1958. He worked to establish Calvary Christian Day School in 1950, which later became Charlotte Christian School.

1960–1966
Dr. J. Allen Blair becomes pastor at Calvary with the construction of an education building underway. An evangelist with a successful radio ministry, Dr. Blair actively expands the foreign missions at Calvary.

1967–1972
Rev. Dean B. Ballard serves as pastor from 1967 to 1969, and Rev. Ralph Norwood is the pastor from 1970 through 1972.

1973
Dr. Ross Rhoads becomes pastor at Calvary. Reverend Billy Graham serves as the keynote speaker at his installation service.

1974
The church has 400 members. Within two years, a multi-purpose building accommodating 600 seats is built at the new Calvary Church located at the corner of Sardis and Randolph. Within three years, the church explodes to 2,000. The new 1,700-seat sanctuary was dedicated in 1978, and in 1981 a Family Life Center was built to keep up with growth. By 1982, four Sunday services are filled to capacity.

1977
The Calvary Child Development Center is founded.

1985–1989
As evangelism thrives, a plan is proposed to build a 5,000-seat worship center. A local developer gives the church 100 acres along rural Highway 51. In 1986 ground was broken for the project. The new church building was dedicated in December 1989.

1995
After 21 years, Dr. Ross Rhoads resigned as senior pastor, shifting his ministry efforts to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, as Franklin Graham became chairman.

1997–2004
Dr. E. Glenn Wagner assumes pastoral leadership of Calvary Church. Local outreach efforts expand, and new ministries reflect Charlotte’s diverse population.

2006
Dr. John H. Munro became Senior Pastor of Calvary in February 2006.

2007–2009
A capital campaign was launched in March 2007 to retire the remaining $4 million debt by December 2008. By God’s grace and provision, the mortgage of Calvary Church is paid in full.

2011–2012
Calvary launches the Next Generation campaign and breaks ground for the Calvary Life Center — a 51,000-square-foot facility addition focusing on supporting Children’s Ministry, Student Ministry, and CHAMP Sports Outreach. Just one year later, in November 2012, the congregation celebrated the CLC grand opening. The $9.6 million construction project is completed on time and without debt.

2016
The Calvary congregation celebrates the tenth anniversary of Dr. Munro’s service.

2019
Calvary Church celebrates 80 years in ministry and undergoes a Sanctuary renovation. We thank the Lord and pray for Him to continue using Calvary for His glory!

View the Calvary 80th-anniversary publication — Celebrating God’s Faithfulness 

2022
Calvary Christian Academy is founded.

2023
Calvary launches the Reach Welcome Grow campaign — a $12.2 million building expansion project to add 15,000 square feet with a new main entrance, classrooms, elevators, prayer room, café, and courtyard, as well as Galleria renovation.