SPOKANE, Wash. — With the first day of February ushering in the celebration on Black History Month, KREM 2 is highlighting those who are creating a positive impact in our community.
All you need to do is head down to Third Avenue and walk into the doors of Calvary Baptist Church.
Founded in 1890, Calvary will be celebrating 134 years in Spokane on February 4. They held their first service only a few months after Washington became an official state.
There were plenty of churches in Spokane as Black settlers arrived, but we know these were different times. As they searched for more opportunities, better living conditions, they were also in need of a church home.
Little did the founders know that this 19th century place of worship would still be standing more than a century later in the year 2024.
Assistant Pastor, Reverend Amos Atkinson said, “I believe they had the faith to say hey, this church is going to be here long after we’re gone. It’s going to be standing, and they’re looking over banister glory right now saying I told you so.”
The church has some incredible factoids from the last 134 years. Civil rights icon Rosa Parks visited Calvary back in 1962. The current pastor, Reverend Dr. CW Andrews Sr. has led the congregation for 50 years.
Over the last year, members of the church have been working to be federally recognized as the oldest Black church in Washington.
This weekend as Calvary celebrates their 134th anniversary, city leaders are expected to grant the church with a proclamation to recognize and honor the history it has in Spokane.
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