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Mount Calvary Baptist Church History  1952 

St. Matthew 16:18

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The late Rev. Charles F. Etheridge organized Mount Calvary Baptist Church in 1952.  The church was then located at 31 Ege Avenue Jersey City, NJ.  Because of its continuous growth, in 1969 Mount Calvary Baptist Church moved its location to a larger facility, located at 93 Linden Avenue Jersey City, NJ 07305.

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The first Deacons to serve: the late Karo Sturgis and Robert Fields.  The Officers serving: Trustee Louis Paul Givins and Jesse Robert Lee, Sr. The members were Mrs. Winnie Bunch, Mrs.Bell Sanford, Mrs.Pauline Givins, and Mrs. Sammuel Greene. There were several auxiliaries and choirs formed during this time.  Mrs. Maude Walker was the first church musician.Mount Calvary grew spiritually and financially under the leadership of Rev. Etheridge.  In October 1959, Rev. Etheridge was called to a better home.

 

The Auxiliaries that was formed: The missionary of which the sunshine band and the Red Circle were under (for children and young people mission.), The church School (Sunday School Department), Pastor’s Aide Usher Board, Willing Workers Helping Hand Club, Choirs Serving, Gospel Chorus, Senior Choir and Junior Choir.  Sister Maude Walker was the first church musician

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In 1960, The Rev. Isreal Burrough, a native of South Carolina, (Church home: Monumental Baptist Church Jersey City, NJ) became Pastor of Mount Calvary Baptist Church.  He served for about three years.  The Deacons that served this administration were Ralph Spencer (Chairman of the Deacon Board), The late Billie Staggers (Trustee)  Isiah Staggers (Chairman of the Trustee Board), Sister Susane Ann McCluney (Church Clerk) Randy Johnson (Church Musician). A split was made from this administration. In the year 1963 Deacon Ralph Spencer was called to ministry, and later Pastor of the Pilgrim Green Baptist Church, Jersey City, NJ (our First Son In The Ministry.) Early in the year 1964, Rev. Rufus G. Brown of Montclair, NJ became pastorate.

 

In 1964 Rev. Rufus B. Brown of Montclair, NJ became Pastor.  During his administration the Inspirational Choir was formed. (Young Adult Choir), Willie Etheridge (President of the Celestial Youth Choir, a community choir, (known as The RJ. C.Y.C) and the R.C. Brown Choir was fromed.  The church musician was Mrs. Ann.

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In July 1969, with the growth of the church family, Mount Calvary Baptist Church moved its location to a larger facility, 93 Linden Avenue, Jersey City, NJ.  Late 1978, Rev. Brown's health began to fail and consequently so did the church.

 

During the administration in 1969 Deacon Billie Staggers was called to ministry.  Brother George Scott was the trustee, and Rev. Grady Cooper was the overseer.   In early spring of April 1979 Rev. Willie W. Wilson a native of Albany, GA (Church home of Mount Olive Baptist Church Jersey City, NJ) was called to pastorate.  From this administration the Deacons that were ordained was: George B Scott, Phillip Wilson, Gregory Wilson, Jimmie Sullivan, Perry Jones, Thomas Murray, Johnny Frazier, Roy Davis, Eugene Austin (deceased), Eddie Harris, Norwood Smith, Steve Walton, and Henry Rivers.

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Trusteeship: Reba Jenkins, Viola Washington, Susane Richardson, Virginia Price, Joan Kendrick, Curtis Butler, Henry Rivers, Norwood Smith, Isaiah, Staggers, Nathaniel Lewis, Perry Jones (deceased) Edna Lee, Frank Johnson, William Peake. The Former Junior Trustees were: Karen Scott, Authur Bule, Johnnie Miller, Tiffany Wilson, and Toyna Harris.  The Junior Trustees were Owenia Johnson, Etonia White, Kenneth Rivers, Scott Rivers and George Mathis.  The Church Clerk was: Bessie M. Woodham.

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In early spring of April 1979, Rev. Willie W. Wilson, a native of Georgia (church home: Mount Olive Baptist Church, Jersey City, NJ) was called to pastorate.  From this administration ten deacons were ordained and 15 Trustees.

During his administration, twenty auxiliaries and six choirs were formed.  In 1979, a Scholarship Committee was organized to aid youth and adults seeking Higher Education and in 1980 a Day School for preschoolers was opened to the community.  In the latter part of 1987, Pastor W.W. Wilson instituted a Building Fund, Boy Scouts, and a New Member class.  The clothes closet was also instituted which serve to provide clothes for those in need.

 

Rev. Gregory L. Wilson, the first son (under Pastor W.W Wilson’s administration) was called into the ministry.  He pastured Ebenezer Baptist Church, Jersey City, NJ and is now Pastor of Grace Chapel Baptist Church. The second son Rev. Alfred Dingle, The third son Minister Roy Davis, the fourth son Rev. Barron Wilson, the first daughter Evangelist Lois Wilson, the fifth son Minister Tony Staggers, and the sixth son Rev. Gary Floyd.  Pastor Wilson believes in the church.  While under his administration the church served twenty (20) auxiliaries and six (6) choirs. All which played an active role.

 

After his dedicated service of twenty years Pastor Willie W. Wilson retired as pastor of Mount Calvary Baptist Church.  He returned home to Georgia, and not long after his return he was called to Pastor New Oak Grove Baptist Church in Cordele, GA. 

 

Barron “B.O.” Wilson became minister at the Union Baptist Church of South River, New Jersey, where he served 10 years. He later succeeded his father as senior pastor of Mount Calvary Baptist Church. Fifteen later, Wilson returned to Union Baptist. In July 2017, he became Pastor-elect of First Baptist Gainsboro

 

 In March of 2000, Rev. Barron O. Wilson a son of Mount Calvary Baptist Church and a native of Jersey City, NJ (Church home Union Baptist Church South River, NJ) became Pastor of Mount Calvary Baptist Church.  In September 2002 Pastor Barron Wilson married Tamica Chisolm. This administration has ordained four Deacons: Malcom Pinckney, Leslie T. Simmons, Alphonso Lynch, and Michael Lynch. 

 

Rev. Kourtney L. Haigler served as the Youth Pastor of the Mount Calvary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Barron O. Wilson. During that season, he aided in the administration of the Sunday School Department and rendered spiritual counseling and guidance for the youth. Rev. Haigler developed an after school academic program. He also coordinated a Youth Explosion Outreach Ministry at Mount Calvary Baptist Church. Between January and July 2010, Rev. Haigler served as Interim Pastor of the Victory Baptist Church, Camden, New Jersey. On April 28, 2013, Reverend Kortney L. Haigler was installed as the fourth Pastor of Union Baptist Church where he remains today.

 

Rev. B.O Wilson left Mt Calvary Baptist Church in XXXX to become Pastor Union Baptist Church in South River.  He then became pastor of First Baptist Church Gainesboro in Roanoke, VA in 2017.

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Rev. Steven A. Wilson, Sr.

(Note: No relation to WW or BO Wilson)

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Rev. Wilson came as a guest preacher several times during 2016 and 2017. He was then called to serve as the Interim Pastor in July 2017 through Jan 2017.  On Jan 21, 2017, he was named Pastor-Elect of Mt. Calvary.  Installation services are scheduled from APril 11th - April 15th, 2018.

 

Pastor-Elect Wilson has been an active member of faith based organizations including Christian Fellowship Association and Middlesex Central Baptist Association of NJ. He is married to the former Dana George. They have one son and one daughter.  A full profile of Rev. Wilson will be posted shortly.

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