Our History

The history of Calvary Hill is precious to all of us who are a part of its success. We as members have all contributed to the history of this fine church.

One evening in 1948, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, Rev. William Z. Bivens called a gospel meeting. This was the beginning of Calvary Hill. In this meeting, Rev. Bivens made it known through his actions and efforts that God had spoken to him to go out into the hedges and highways and compel workers to come into the vineyard, for truly the harvest was ripe and right then in need of laborers. So, thus began what has been more than 72 years of labor, with plenty of work yet to be done.

Deacon Saul McApline, representing Peoples Baptist Church, approached Rev. Bivens, requesting him to serve as their Pastor. God saw fit that a merger should take place. Rev Bivens and his congregation moved to the Parkwood location in 1949 and the new name for both churches was adopted as the Calvary Hill Missionary Baptist Church.

Rev. Bivens, with God leading, steered this new organization into a rich and fruitful growth. Auxiliaries were organized and the members came. After many years of growth it was a necessity that Calvary Hill either build or buy another place of worship. It was decided, after being shown the former East Mount Zion Baptist Church at East 103rd and Cedar, that we would purchase this building.

The first Sunday in March 1956, Calvary Hill officially moved from East 110th and Parkwood to East 103rd and Cedar Avenue.

Pastor Bivens labored tirelessly in Kingdom business for 44 years, until the Lord called him home.

pastor JWR3.jpg — In 1993, the Lord sent a new servant to lead the congregation, Rev. John. W. Ribbins, III.
Aware of Pastor Bivens’ legacy, he immediately set forth to continue the work of teaching the fullness of the Scripture, to educate and edify, *“till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”* Ephesians 4:3.
Our church has been a spiritual institution of encouragement, and a place of biblical learning. Numerous ministries from the Sunday School, to Missions, to Choirs, and many more have been birthed and nurtured over the past 72 years.
With Pastor Bivens serving 44 years, and Pastor Ribbins now completing 27 years, Calvary Hill has been blessed to go only one year without a pastor.
As God would ordain it, in 2017, a new opportunity to spread the gospel of the Kingdom emerged. With the change in makeup of the northeast Fairfax area, and the medical/educational expansion west from University circle, a residential community around Calvary Hill greatly diminished.
Praying at his desk, little did Pastor Ribbins know that God would lead us to purchase a building built by Hope Lutheran Church for the second time in our history.
God’s great provision allowed for the purchase and renovation of the property debt-free, and we marched in on Sunday, February 4, 2018, by the Lord’s will.

This year, in April 2020, the ministry of Calvary Hill took a dramatic turn. Due to the pandemic effects of COVID-19, we have not been able to meet and fellowship in person. Our Sunday School, choirs, Missions Ministry, Youth Ministry, Sick & Shut-in Ministry, and more have been curtailed severely.

Yet, God has opened doors to minister nonetheless, and in more wide-reaching ways. Calvary Hill now shares its worship services via FaceBook Live, and YouTube. Bible Study goes forward with a conference call line reaching across the USA.

A daily prayer line has been instituted, and missions work has gone on in a smaller personal appearance, but a larger financial scale. A faithful group of musicians and personnel gather each week with Pastor Ribbins, to broadcast the services to car radios at the church, and across the internet.

THE GOSPEL and its ministry are not bound!

There are many other facets of Calvary Hill’s history that would fill volumes. Many names and events, too numerous to mention here, are recorded in eternity. What God has on record is without error and can never be erased. We thank and praise Him for His guidance to this point, and we pray for His continued leading from here on.