Where we’ve been
In 1881, a local mission group
from the First Baptist Church of
Denver grew enough to warrant
a new church. On Nov. 29,
1881, they founded Calvary
Baptist Church. Below are key
pastors of Calvary and their
significant contributions.
Benjamin H. Yerkes, 1881–1883
—First pastor of Calvary Baptist Church
—Responsible for erecting Calvary’s first church
building
- Henry G. Smith, 1933–1954
—Provided visionary leadership to Calvary during the
Great Depression Worked tirelessly to clear the
church of debt
—Facilitated increased membership
—Cultivated local mission outreach programs
—Allocated 33 percent of the church budget for
Mission
- Harleigh M. Rosenberger, 1954–1959
—Expanded Calvary’s Sunday School program
—Promoted growth in membership
—Continued financial support of both local and global
missions
—Strengthened connections between members
through the Messenger newsletter and prayer phone
- Henry J. Croes, 1960–1968
—Responsible for the move to our current location
from downtown Denver
—Established Calvary preschool for outreach to
neighborhood families.
—Created innovative programs, such as the Living
Lord’s Supper
- LaRue A. (Larry) Loughhead, 1969–1992
—Encouraged creative change and a new way of
worshipping
—Conducted interviews with Bible personalities
during sermons
—Expanded local missions development
—Designated one Sunday each month to collect food
for Inner City Parish
—Broadened Calvary’s outreach by sponsoring
refugees relocating to Denver
—Developed a theologian-in-residence program
—Encouraged women in prominent worship
leadership roles
—Established Devotions for Lent, a booklet created by
members each year
—Developed Modern Matures, a ministry for senior
members
—Commissioned Calvary’s ElderCare ministry
- Mary Armacost Hulst, 1993–2006
—Provided exceptional teaching skills and thought
provoking sermons
—Used a wide range of tools, techniques and guests to
make her sermons more meaningful
—Focused on welcoming diversity and the inclusiveness
of all God’s children
—Led mission trips with members to over 20 countries
—Developed a missionary-in-residence program
—Created inspired worship experiences, such as
Easter sunrise services, Christmas Festival of Lights
and liturgical dance
—Implemented Calvary’s Web site and weekly Web
broadcasts
—Dedicated to involving Calvary in numerous
community outreach programs
—Facilitated Calvary’s organizational restructure
—Initiated the building of the Foot of the Cross
columbarium
Significant turning points in Calvary’s life
In the early days, the church had major debt issues and
only survived due to extreme sacrifices by members.
Calvary is now debt free, despite two additions to the
building.
Monaco was a dirt road when Calvary was built in
1965 as the most southern church in Denver. Today we
are an urban church, competing with hundreds of
congregations south of our location.
Through outstanding pastoral leadership, Calvary
today is a church with purpose and direction. We are
willing to explore new ways to deepen our relationship
with Jesus Christ, both collectively and in our personal
lives. With 125 years of history, we look proudly on our
past and reach boldly toward our future.