Calvary Episcopal Church was a part of the first great westward thrust of The Episcopal Church in America and was founded on August 6, 1832, with 10 parishioners by the Rev. Thomas Wright. Calvary is the “Mother Parish” of The Episcopal Church in Memphis and Shelby County and founded five “daughter” congregations, including Grace Church in 1850 (which later merged to become Grace-St. Luke’s), St. Mary’s Cathedral in 1858, and the Church of the Holy Communion in 1950.
Bishop James H. Otey, the First Bishop of Tennessee, consecrated the current church building at Second and Adams on May 12, 1844, at which time there were 115 members. The building was designed by Calvary's second Rector, The Rev. Philip Alston, and is the oldest public building in continuous use in the city. The tower was added in 1848, and the chancel in 1881. The Parish Hall was constructed in 1903, and by 1906 the number of members had increased to 535. An Education Building was completed and dedicated in 1992.
The Rev. George White, "The Civil War Rector,” began a 24-year tenure as Rector of Calvary in 1859. Calvary was recognized as a bastion in the City during the war and also during the Yellow Fever Epidemic in 1873.
1900s
The Rev. Walter Buckner was called as Rector in 1909, and served for nine years. He was recognized as a community leader due to his fundraising appeals on behalf of Liberty Bonds and the American Red Cross.
The Rev. Charles Blaisdell had a notable tenure from 1920-1940, by establishing a soup kitchen for the needy, a downtown kindergarten, the Endowment Fund, the Lenten Preaching Series, and the Waffle Shop. He also was credited with being the first clergyperson in Memphis to broadcast on the radio.
Under the 15-year leadership of the Rev. Donald Henning, from 1949-1964, the church underwent a major expansion, redecoration, and reorganization of space. The Bride's Walk was added, and the plaster on the exterior of the church was removed, exposing the original red brick.
The Rev. Douglass M. Bailey was called in 1978, beginning over two decades of leadership. During his tenure, Calvary Episcopal Church helped found and develop such programs as the Calvary Street Ministry, Samaritan Counseling Center, Calvary Place Childcare Center, and the Calvary and the Arts concert series.
2000 and Beyond
The Rev. Dr. Andrew MacBeth came to Calvary in February 2004, as our 20th Rector. Calvary has established a vibrant ministry to young adults, strived to become a community of youth ministers, reinvigorated its evangelism efforts, including a new and improved website, and created a new outreach ministry, the Hospitality HUB, a partnership with several other downtown churches to offer compassion and assistance to the homeless in our neighborhood. In the year 2007, Calvary is celebrating its 175th year of making God's love visible in downtown Memphis.