Mount Calvary Holy Church was founded in 1928 when Bishop Brumfield Johnson conducted a revival in the city of Winston-Salem, NC. Approximately 250 persons were saved during this revival and many desired to have a church home with Bishop Johnson as their pastor. Upon Bishop Johnson’s return to the city, Peppers Warehouse was secured as a worship facility to accommodate the huge following. Services were later held in a huge tent until a permanent place of worship was secured. The church formally began as Mount Pisgah Rescue Mission.

The church was officially incorporated in 1929 as the Mount Calvary Holy Church of America, Inc. The Winston-Salem church is the first church founded in Mount Calvary and proudly proclaims to be the first predominantly African American church in the city of Winston-Salem to host a live radio broadcast. These services were attended by persons from all walks of life, including judges, lawyers, and fellow Christians of the city and surrounding areas.

As the congregation grew, the church moved to a larger facility on Fifth and Hickory Streets until Bishop Johnson led the congregation in building a beautiful edifice on Eighth and Linden Streets in 1938. Bishop Johnson continued to pastor the church, along with his duties as Senior Bishop of a fledgling but growing national denomination. During his tenure he had several assistant pastors, including the late Rev. Helen Cloud, who also served as State Mother.

On March 26, 1967, Mount Calvary moved to its present location at 930 E. 14th Street. Bishop Johnson remained the pastor of the church until his death in 1972, at which time his successor, Bishop Harold I. Williams, assumed the pastorate of the church and the mantle of Senior Bishop of the organization.

Bishop Williams led the church for nearly three decades as Mount Calvary began to spread its wings all across the nation and overseas. His duties carried him to churches in various states and countries, yet he remained faithful to the “First Church” in Winston-Salem.

After many years of service to the Kingdom in the Winston-Salem church, Bishop Williams turned over the reigns of leadership to Elder Daniel Russell, Jr., the National Elder of the Mount Calvary Holy Church of America. Elder Russell served faithfully for over 5 years as Senior Pastor, leading the congregation through a complete renovation of the sanctuary. He resigned from the position as Senior Pastor in the summer of 2005, and Rev. Tejado Hanchell was elected as Senior Pastor on October 31, 2005.

Pastor Hanchell has begun to lead the church into its new season of ministry, and we are expecting great and mighty things. Under his leadership, Mount Calvary has adopted the motto, “The Church Committed to Do MORE.” It is our desire to go above and beyond the call of duty to minister to the needs of the community, and our primary ministry emphases are in the areas of Missions, Outreach, Relationship-building, and Education. Mount Calvary is a Kingdom-minded ministry with a Kingdom-focused mission, and we know that the best is yet to come!