On June 21, 1911, a deal was made with Schubert Lumber Company to erect a plank church, which cost around nine-hundred dollars. The name of the church was changed from Marietta Baptist Church to First Baptist Church of Lonsdale.

When Rev. Francis P. Story came on the scene as Pastor around 1916, it was decided that in order to prevent confusion in addresses, the name of the church was changed from First Baptist Church of Lonsdale to First Calvary Baptist Church.

The Rev. D. D. Stephens was called on March 31, 1939. During his pastorate, the blocks were put around the church on July 26, 1948. Rev. Stephens made many sacrifices during his pastorate. He served until 1953.

Rev. Raymond L. Willis was called on October 28, 1953, and served until 1956. He was an inspirational speaker. Many souls were added to the church. Rev. C. W. Mathews was called to the pastorate in November 1956. He at once began to make plans for a larger church.

The present church site was purchased on July 31, 1957. Many successful rallies were held and thousands of dollars were given. Ground was broken for the present building in July 1959. The first worship service was held in the basement on October 23, 1960. In July 1961, Mrs. Mary Clark, the oldest member of the church, cut the ribbon and we worshipped in the sanctuary under the leadership of Rev. Matthews, who was the designer and builder of the church.

Mr. Ivan Racheff, owner of the Knoxville Iron Company on Tennessee Avenue, donated free materials and labor toward the building of the church. It was the cooperative Christian spirit among member and many friends that contributed to the completion of the church.

The mortgage was burned in September 1966. Shortly afterwards, the adjoining lots on the east and west sides of the church were purchased. The church was upgraded several times during Rev. Matthews’ pastorate. Rev. Matthews pastored First Calvary for forty-three years, which made him the longes tenured pastor in First Calvary’s history.

Rev. George W. C. Lyons, Jr., accepted the pastorate of First Calvary in September 1999. He was young and had many ideas and was a dynamic speaker. Under his leadership, the church was upgraded. New carpet was purchased from the porch to the choir loft; the pews were reupholstered; extra chairs for the overflow were added; musical instruments were purchased to include a piano,

organ, and a drum set; new water fountains installed; new furniture for the Pastor’s study was purchased; a van was purchased; and a house on Delaware Avenue was purchased.

Rev. Lyons started a radio ministry in 2001. He also coordinated the Lonsdale wide Vacation Bible Study (VBS) with the Lonsdale Union of Churches. The Lonsdale VBS was the largest community VBS in the city of Knoxville. First Calvary provided the kiddie venue on our property during the Lonsdale Homecoming.

First Calvary grew both spiritually and financially during Rev. Lyons tenure as pastor. Members and friends of First Calvary took many trips to different churches and other places under Rev. Lyons’ leadership.

Rev. Lyons was the 23rd Pastor of First Calvary. His tenure was nine years, which makes him the second longest Pastor at First Calvary. In 2008, God had already placed in our midst a spiritual man to serve as our interim Pastor, Rev. Benjamin Lewis, Jr.

Rev. Benjamin Lewis was the 24th Pastor of First Calvary Baptist Church. Rev. Lewis was installed as senior pastor of First Calvary in January 2009. Under his leadership our membership continued to increase. During his tenure, the church purchased new tables and chairs for the basement; added several musicians to enhance our music ministry; purchased a new heating and cooling system; and purchased a new church van. The church adopted the Sam E. Hill Learning Center. By giving our time, talent, and treasure is our way of investing in our youth’s future.

First Calvary was without a Pastor from late 2018 through late 2022. The church was blessed with many visiting ministers, with the longest one being Rev. Clarence Young, who was very faith faithful in serving First Calvary. In spite of the church being closed due to health reasons, a few faithful saints circled the church each Sunday in their cars to hear the word being brought by radio, Facebook, and through the church’s loudspeaker by Rev. Young. The members of First Calvary continued to send in their tithes and offerings. Under the leadership and direction of Deacon Co-Chairpersons Deacon James Andrews and Deacon Allen Clark, the church upgraded the church by installing new flooring in the sanctuary and in the basement; installed new windows around the whole church; installed new chairs for the choir loft; painted the walls of the upper and lower levels of the church; and had the foundation on the back end of the church repaired.

Rev. Kevin White, Sr., was brought in as interim Pastor in September 2022. On November 6, 2022, the church called him to be the 25th Pastor of First Calvary. God once again blessed the church with a young and inspiring Pastor. Rev. White came to the church with new ideas and plans and immediately started putting them in place. One of his first acts was to start back up Bible Study and Sunday School. With his inspirational message each Sunday, our membership is once again slowly on the rise. Rev. White and his wife, Sis. Maria have only been at First Calvary for a short period of time and they have contributed to improving the exterior and interior appearance of the church. First Calvary loves and appreciates Rev. and Mrs. Kevin White and pray that they will be with us for years to come.