Landmark and Community

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Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, founded on May 15, 1870, is one of Fairfax County’s oldest African American congregations. It was established shortly after the Civil War by newly emancipated citizens who prioritized creating a spiritual home before securing homes for themselves. This church became not only a religious center, but also a hub for civil rights organizing and community empowerment.

Cornerstone of original structure. Reads: MT CALVERY BAPTIST CH BULT 1870 REBUILT 1906
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​Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Fairfax, Virginia, underwent a transition in 1957 when the congregation moved from its original location near the Fairfax County Courthouse to its current site at 4325 Chain Bridge Road. The last service at the original church was held on April 14, 1957. (mtcalvaryfairfax.net)

Black and white photo of the new location of Mt. Calvary Baptist church. Front gabled church, tower on left with stairs leading up to the double door entrance. There are two arched windows to the right of the entrance.
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New location – 4325 Chain Bridge Road, Old location – State road #123, about three blocks from the Fairfax County Court House.


Founding of the Church

Pastors

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Rev. Marshall Williams

1870-1924

Rev. Richard Botts

1924-1927

Rev. Richard Carter

1927-1939

Rev. DeVaughn

1939-1947

Rev. Henry Huston

1947-1948

Rev. Milton Shepherd

1948 1957

Rev. Spenser Coleman

1957

Rev. Clarence Robinson

1957 1969

Rev. Thomas Spears

1969 1976

Rev. Booker Taylor

1976 1992

Rev. James Austin

1992 2003

Rev. Jeffery Johnson

2004 PRESENT

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Reverend Marshall Downing Williams, D.D.

Sepia photograph of Reverend Marshal Downing Williams

The founding trustees, Louis Thompson, John Jackson, Strother Gibson, Martin Mellontree, and Louis Jackson purchased land from Beecher Campbell and his wife. The construction of the original church building was supervised by the Campbell’s, naming it Mt. Calvary Baptist Church.

The first pastor, Reverend Marshall Downing Williams, D.D., of Manassas, Virginia, was a strong cultivator in organizing and founding the church. A pioneer Missionary Baptist minister in Northern Virginia, Rev. Williams served the congregation faithfully for 54 years until his passing on May 17, 1924.

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Fairfax Community Institution: FCCA

Mt. Calvary Baptist Church was not only a religious institution—it was also a center for civil rights organizing in the county.

Starting in 1939, the FCCA began holding its monthly Wednesday night meetings at Mt. Calvary. These gatherings brought together educators, ministers, and community leaders to plan advocacy efforts and strategize around local issues.

Because Mt. Calvary served as a consistent meeting place for the FCCA, it became a hub of Black political and civic life in Fairfax County. This partnership illustrates the essential role churches played in African American communities not just for worship, but also as spaces for activism during times of segregation and discrimination. 

1941 Brochure

From the souvenir flyer for the Mt. Calvary’s 120 year Celebration

Photographs of Souvenir Anniversary Pamphlets were obtained through the Mt. Calvary subject files and archival papers at the Fairfax County Library Virginia Room https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/virginia-room

Fairfax City Times, 13 September 1961, Page 6

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Newspaper Clippings were copied from the microfilm reels of the Fairfax Herald located at the Fairfax County Library Virginia room https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/virginia-room

Mount Calvary Now

Gallery

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Read more: Mount Calvary
https://relg250.umwsites.net/2025/04/17/explore-and-read-more
  1. Rev. Booker W. Taylor, Pastor, Souvenir Program: The One Hundred and Tenth Anniversary of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church (Fairfax, VA: Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, 1980).
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  2. Rev. Booker W. Taylor, Pastor, Souvenir Program: The One Hundred and Tenth Anniversary of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church (Fairfax, VA: Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, 1980). ↩︎
  3. “MT. CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH.” Fairfax City Times, September 13, 1961, Church Directory p. 6. ↩︎
  4. Church Family Photo, 2025, MT. CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH, photograph, Mt. Calvary Baptist Church. ↩︎
  5. Erica Brawner, Photograph of Service at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, 2025, photograph, Mt. Calvary Baptist Church. ↩︎
  6. Erica Brawner, Sanctuary Featuring Stained Glass Windows and Altar, 2025, photograph, Mt. Calvary Baptist Church ↩︎
  7. Erica Brawner, Exterior: Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, 2025, photograph, Mt. Calvary Baptist Church ↩︎
  8. Erica Brawner, Memorial Wall, 2025, photograph, Mt. Calvary Baptist Church ↩︎
  9. Erica Brawner, Interior Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, 2025, photograph, Mt. Calvary Baptist Church ↩︎