Who We Are

The Mount Calvary Baptist Church had its inception in the year of 1876. The history of Mount Calvary Baptist Church has been preserved through oral communication passed down from generation to generation, written documents, as well as previous and present members.  Over the years, it has been enriched by spiritual strength and the focus on family. In 1876, through the Holy Spirit’s leading, Rev. William Willis and a few faithful Christians started Mount Calvary Baptist Church. In these early days, there was no permanent place of worship, so the members would have service by going from house to house. After some time, Rev. Willis left, and Rev. Norman Dugger became Mount Calvary’s second pastor.

Pastor Dugger built a small 15 X 25-foot building along with a few members, which the church would use for almost 30 years. Pastor Dugger’s health would fail him, leading to his retirement, and by February 1910, church records show that Mount Calvary no longer had a regular pastor.  However, by the end of August 1910, Rev. W. H. Wiggins was called to serve as the third pastor.  Pastor Wiggins would lead the church for several years and actively took part in building a new edifice. He was paid for his carpentry work, including work on a church hall. After several years of faithful service, Pastor Wiggins resigned in late 1915.

In January 1916, a pulpit committee was established to search for another pastor.  Church leaders, such as Deacon Archer Lipscomb, Deacon Henry Young, Sister Helen Roach, and others, helped provide spiritual leadership during this time of transition. In October of 1916, Rev. A.M. Kent became Mount Calvary’s fourth pastor. By 1917 Mount Calvary was 72 members strong, and records show they were forming a choir. This was also a turbulent year for the church. After recently building a new edifice, the U.S. government confiscated the church’s property to build a portion of Camp Lee (present-day Fort Lee) during World War I. In 1918, the church had meetings and services at the treasurer’s (Deacon Archer Lipscomb) home. His place of residence was only a few tracts down from Mount Calvary’s current property. Later the church would rent different buildings, including a schoolhouse in Washington Heights, to conduct worship services. In the fall of 1918, church records referenced a rebellion, and it appears around this time Rev. Kent left the church. It was said that some faithful members stayed at Mount Calvary while others went to First Baptist City Point. The church was without a pastor and a physical building of its own, but with strong leadership and Christ, the church endured.

During the following year, many ministers provided services, and they would be presented for a vote as pastor a few times. Ultimately, Mount Calvary would call Rev. Chaplin as its next pastor in January 1920. That same year, Prince George property records confirm that the church’s trustees purchased the church’s current property in April from Mr. Joseph and Mrs. Mary Butor for $175.00. Rev. Chaplin suggested a building committee, and construction began on a new sanctuary. At the end of 1920, it appears that Pastor Chaplin’s health began to fail, and in April of 1921, the church called Rev. Dr. Gordon as its next pastor. In his brief time as pastor, he implemented monthly leadership meetings and quarterly church meetings in place of monthly church meetings. Following Rev. Dr. Gordon, the church was pastored by Rev. Whitfield beginning in 1922 and then Rev. W.E. Saunder. Both pastors served until their deaths.

In 1941 God sent the church’s longest-serving pastor to date, Rev. Dr. L.W. Jacobs. During Pastor Jacobs’s time as pastor Mount Calvary built its current facility on Courthouse Road in approximately 1950. Pastor Jacobs was highly active in the community as pastor of five churches. Following Rev. Jacob’s retirement in 1987, the church installed Rev. Dr. Joseph Dean Morrison as its 10th pastor.

During Pastor Morrison’s 27 years of service, the church had several renovations and changes.  In 2000 under the leadership of Dr. Morrison, the church completed an extensive renovation, including a fellowship hall. Brother Joseph Bennett led the construction with the assistance of the men of the church. At completion, the fellowship hall included a kitchen, additional bathrooms, and classrooms. The main sanctuary was renovated with new windows, lights, carpeting, and a new piano. In addition, a new church marquee and a heated baptismal pool were installed. Later the parking lot was paved, and a handicap ramp was added to the back of the church. 

In June 2014, Pastor Morrison established Mount Calvary’s first-ever Children’s Church with eight officers and thirty youth, which continues today as one of Calvary’s most prominent ministries. Furthermore, under Pastor Morrison, Mount Calvary would purchase additional land, setting itself up for future growth. Pastor Morrison would faithfully serve until his untimely death in 2014.

On July 24, 2016, Mount Calvary installed its 11th Pastor, Vodricka Lamont Epps. Over the past five years, it has become patently clear that God has commissioned Pastor Epps to develop the ministry and the people of Mount Calvary Baptist Church in this season of her existence.

In the fall of 2016, Pastor Epps established Mount Calvary Mission and Vision statements. By the leading of the Holy Spirit, in agreement with the people, Mount Calvary’s set out “to empower the faith community by encouraging all to Know God, Grow in Faith, and Go in Power.” Its Vision is to be a growing community that actively models the life of Christ through Relationship, Reconciliation, and Restoration. 

In the winter of 2019, Pastor Epps, God’s commissioned servant for this season in the life of Mount Calvary Baptist Church, revealed the three, five, and ten-year vision plan he received from God. The plan includes seven objectives: 1) Retain current discipleship numbers; 2) Reclaim inactive disciples; 3) Recruit the unchurched, the uncommitted, the un-evangelized, and the unreached; 4) Expanded community impact; 5) Increased giving and strengthened stewardship; 6) Work collaboratively with the Trustee’s and Finance ministry to identify funds for church renovation projects; and 7) Enhance communications.

Pastor Epps is a great visionary with unrelenting compassion for the least of these. Currently, he is leading the Calvary Congregation in a partnership with Compassion International, the “child-advocacy ministry pairing compassionate people with children living in extreme poverty to release the children from spiritual, economic, social, and physical poverty.” God has already blessed the efforts of the worldwide commitment vision through the adoption of Calvary’s Kids Geleta and Semarys in Ethiopia.

Additionally, through Calvary’s Evangelism Ministry, local homeless individuals are served food for the spiritual and natural body each Thanksgiving season, and toiletries, personal items, clothes, and shoes are provided throughout the year.

Pastor Epps is currently serving with one deacon, three ministers, four trustees, and fourteen ministry leaders as the church membership has grown to over 160 members. Those ministries include Evangelism, Media, Youth and Young Adult, Security, Ushers, Hospitality, Praise Team, The Voices of Calvary, Senior Choir, Women’s, Special Events, Beautification, and Transportation. The ministry profile of Mount Calvary under Pastor Epps has also expanded into an enterprise that serves the community and beyond. 

Pastor Epps is presently leading Mount Calvary through the historic global pandemic titled COVID-19. During this time of “unchartered territory,” we have witnessed the steadfast hand and power of God. We are now a multi-campus church with worship experiences both onsite and online. By God’s favor, grace, and mercy, “The Calvary Experience” is transforming lives all over the country, and we continue to grow spiritually, financially, and physically.

The following is the list of ministers that served as Pastors of Mount Calvary Baptist Church: 1.  Rev. William Willis 1876 – unknown, 2. Rev. Norman Dugger unknown, 3. Rev. W.H. Wiggins 1910-1915, 4. Rev. Archer M. Kent 1916-1918, 5. Rev. Chaplin 1920-1920, 6. Rev. Dr. Gordon 1921-1922, 7. Rev. Whitfield – unknown, 8. Rev. W.E. Saunder – unknown, 9. Rev. Dr. L.W. Jacobs 1941-1987, 10. Rev. Dr. Joseph D. Morrison 1987-2014, and 11. Rev. Vodricka L. Epps 2016-Present.

A large part of Mount Calvary’s history includes being a resource for ministers.  Several were licensed and/or served as associate ministers of the church.  The following is a list of Sons and Daughters licensed in the gospel ministry:  1. Rev. Lewis Newbill 2. Rev. Carolyn Newbill 3. Rev. Ronnie C. Thompson, Jr. 4. Rev. Jackie Tucker 5. Rev. Antonio Whitfield 6. Rev. Tamara Whitfield. Currently serving Rev. Michael T. Dudley, Rev. Gilman D. Wilkins, and Rev. Valerie Hudson. *List may not be all-inclusive.   

Mount Calvary is currently a member of the Bethany Baptist Association, and we hold membership with the Baptist General Convention of Virginia. The church contributes to American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, Alzheimer’s Association, Feed-more, VCU Massey Cancer Center, the Minister Wives and Widow Foundation, and Autism Foundation.

Our local partners have/or currently include Hopewell Public Schools, VFW Post 622, Omega Psi Phi, and Hope House. 

Our overseas partners have/or currently include Compassion International and Peace and Development Footprints in Hatti. 

Mount Calvary has a history of strong leadership and perseverance, and today it continues to serve as a place of healing and a resource for those in need. As we prepare for the years ahead, the plans for building for the future are paramount, with God’s directive to move from consecration to commitment to construction and, ultimately, to celebration. All the hope of the Congregation is in the faithfulness of the God Who superintended the blessed beginning, Who ordained all those before, who consecrated the Epps Commission, and Who is preparing a faithful future for His people assembled as the Body of Christ known as the Mount Calvary Baptist Church.

However, as it is written; “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” the things God has prepared for those who love him. (1 Corinthians 2:9)