A Brief History
This history is based on memory and notes from the church archives. Please excuse any omissions.
The history of Calvary Episcopal Church is preserved with the hope of inspiring our present and future members. It is our prayer that they will protect the ideas and dreams of those who labored for so long, enduring many hardships while working toward the goal of one day having a church.
Our Heavenly Father was with our ancestors every step of the way, and with faith the journey began.
The Beginning
The small Black community north of Hanover Courthouse had neither a church nor a school. The children went to the school at Providence Baptist Church (Hickory Hill Farm), which was approximately 5 miles away. The older children could not go to school in inclement weather, and it was too far for the small ones to walk.
South of Hanover Courthouse was a school for Black boys who were being disciplined by the state. The Episcopal minister Rev. Lorenzo Augustus King was the chaplain at the school for boys. Rev. King became aware of the plight of the neighboring community. He volunteered himself as minister to the people. There was no building available, so Mr. Louis Green Sr. opened his home. In warm weather, adults and children gathered on his porch for Sunday school. They met in a large room downstairs in inclement weather.
Rev. King organized what became known as the Hanover Welfare League. Its purpose was two fold: Christian education and academic education. Mr. King encouraged the league to purchase some property. Mr. William Layton gave the first $5.00. The league bought 2 acres from Willie and Mary Coleman. A building was secured from Courtland Farm, and the school opened in October 1919.
The school served as a center for church, day school and entertainment.
The Future Church Building
Thomas Deane Brown, a student at the Bishop Payne Divinity School, Petersburg, VA, came to Hanover. He served as minister for the community and as student chaplain at Hanover School for Boys. Later Rev. T.D. Brown became a deacon and was working in Charlottesville where he organized Trinity Church. He commuted to Hanover by train.
Rev. Brown purchased a tract of land and sold some to the Diocese, earmarked for the future church building that he had envisioned. During the administration of Rev. Brown the groundbreaking ceremony was held on October 29, 1939. The cornerstone was laid in 1940. The building was completed in 1942. After Rev. Brown retired, he served as Voluntary Assistant for the church.
The Rev. Thomas Deane Brown
Calvary Church for a long period of time had part-time services by the following ministers:
Rev. Jennings Hobson.
David M. Sims (who was a student from Virginia Seminary).
Rev. Paul S. Heins.
Following the death of Rev. Heins, Baptist minister Rev. Joseph Brown agreed to help Calvary. Rev. Joseph Brown was offered the opportunity to study and become an Episcopal priest, but he declined and remained true to his Baptist roots. On Holy Communion services, the Diocese supplied priests from Region 11. Eventually a supply minister, Rev. Edwin Williams, came for two Sundays and Rev. Joseph Brown for one Sunday.
The Rev. Paul S. Heins
In July 1987, Rev. Peter Gustin was appointed as priest. Under the leadership of Rev. Gustin, Brown’s Hall was built. In 1990 Rev. Gustin left the church and Cynthia Miller, a lay member of St. James-the-Less, was appointed by the Bishop to be Lay Pastoral Leader. The Rev. Sherry Mattson came to do Holy Communion during the time Cynthia was in charge.
The following Episcopal ministers faithfully served Calvary Church:
Rev. Vincent Hodge (10 years).
Rev. J. Jellico Bright (10 years).
Rev. Alonzo Pruitt (5 years).
The Rev. J. Jellico Bright
When Rev. Pruitt decided to leave, the church was left without a minister. The church began inviting Baptist supply ministers to provide the sermon, and the Lay Ministers officiated the services until a minister could be found.
The Baptist supply ministers who helped Calvary in our time of need were:
Rev. George Goodall.
Rev. Joseph Brown.
Rev. Herman Trueheart.
Rev. Corrine Lucus.
Apostle Henritta Brooks.
Retired Episcopal minister Rev. Charles Joy also helped.
The year 2018 God blessed Calvary with Rev. Victor King from Monrovia, Liberia. Rev. King was installed as Vicar of Calvary Church on June 23, 2019. Rev. King departed from Calvary Church in 2023.
After Rev. King left, we had supply priests coming in for Communion Sundays. Praise God, Rev. George Goodall, Rev. Louise Fulkner, and Rev. Kelvin Smith blessed us with sermons for Morning Prayer along with the lay ministers officiating the service.
Later God blessed us with the services of The Rev. Chanta Bhan who provided Eucharistic and Morning Prayer services.
In November 2024, Rev. Anthony Gaboton Jr. joined Calvary Church as part-time Vicar.
The Rev. Victor King
We have been blessed and have come along way by the Grace of God. Our experience with God and his plan for us has been distinctive. Our foundation was established in holiness and sanctification many years ago.
This by no means describe all of Calvary’s rich history, but it does give you an idea of the many faithful people that worked hard and didn’t give up.