Who We Are
At Calvary, we believe in a mission that’s simple but powerful: to Love God, Love People, and Serve All. We are a relational, community-centered church, reflecting the love of Christ in everything we do. Our relationship with Jesus has given us a transforming hope, and we are passionate about sharing that hope with others. We exist to meet real needs, to build relationships that matter, and to help each other grow in our faith in practical, life-changing ways.
Where We Come From
The story of Calvary Baptist Church began on February 1, 1897, when the first meeting of Mission Baptist Church of Norwich, NY took place. A year later, the church reorganized under the name of Calvary Baptist Church. Since that time, we have been blessed with a long history of faithful servants who have ministered to this community. In 1942, Calvary became a charter member of the Northeast Fellowship (formerly the Empire State Fellowship of Regular Baptist Churches).
In 1958, a vision to create a dedicated space for ministry led to the purchase of a 5-acre plot, and in 1967, our original building was constructed. Over the years, we’ve grown and adapted, adding to our facilities to meet the needs of our expanding church family. In 1982, we launched Valley Heights Christian Academy, and in 2008, we started our Calvary Cares food distribution program, which provides vital support to families in need.
Where We’re Headed
Today, we are more committed than ever to fostering a community centered around the love of Christ and the hope He gives us. Our vision is to be a church where belonging is at the heart of everything we do. We’re focused on engaging our neighbors, addressing the real needs of our community, and nurturing discipleship in practical ways that lead to lasting transformation. As we move forward, our goal is to be a place where everyone—whether you’re searching, new to faith or a lifelong believer—can experience the love of Christ, grow in their walk with God, and make a difference in the lives of others.
What This Means for You
No matter where you are on your spiritual journey, you’re always welcome here at Calvary. Whether you’re just starting to explore faith, or you’re looking for a place to grow and serve, you’ll find a church family that’s ready to walk alongside you. We invite you to come as you are, knowing that you will be accepted and loved as part of our community.
If you’d like to learn more about what we believe, click here. Or, if you’d prefer to connect with someone from our leadership team directly, click the button below.