Mount Calvary Church of God in Christ to celebrate 100th anniversary

Mount Calvary Church of God in Christ will celebrate their 100th anniversary on Sunday, Oct. 16, at 3:30 p.m. when there will be preaching, testimonials and a reading of the church history.

Bishop Maurice Green, of Lily of the Valley Church of God in Christ, will be the guest speaker at the special event. Green is the bishop of the Southwestern Jurisdiction First. The theme for the celebration is “We’ve come this far by faith,” Hebrews 10:23.

The church was established in 1922 with Rev. Dennis Williams as the first pastor. The first church building was described as a small frame building. In later years, records show that the church moved to North 12th Street where Dennis Williams had donated land. That church was constructed in 1945 by the members with a visiting evangelist, J.E. Boswell, of Chicago in charge.

In 1997, it was reported that two of the church’s charter members were still living – Alene Armstrong and Rev. N.R. Henderson. At that time, Mrs. Nellie Mayberry was recorded as being the oldest living member and the “Mother” of the church was Mrs. Cornelius Johnson.

In 1992, Elder Lee O. Ford became the pastor and continues in that capacity today. In 1995, Ford said the Lord gave him a vision and a dream to build the current church.

In 2011, Gatesville Mayor David Byrom declared October 16 as Mt. Calvary Church of God in Christ Day in Gatesville.

The public is invited to attend the celebration. The church is located at 128 N. 12th Street in Gatesville.