Mt. Calvary Baptist Church

Established 1914

Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church has its roots in Hilton Head’s first African American church that was established in Mitchelville in 1862, First African Baptist. 

Desiring to establish a church in the Pope community several members of First African Baptist Church, under the leadership of Rev. B. W. Williams, left to organize a new congregation in 1914. A small parcel of land on Squire Pope Road was donated by the Miller family and the first church building, a wooden structure, was constructed.

Rev. Williams lead the church until his death in 1939.

The following year (1940) a storm destroyed the church building but the congregation stuck together and built a new building on the same site.

Several pastors served for short periods after Rev. Williams death until Rev. J. C. Simmons assumed the pastorate in 1948. Rev. Simmons served the church for 26 years. During his ministry the congregation grew to more than 100 members and Sunday School, choirs, Men's and Women’s Fellowship and other auxiliary services were added.

When Rev. Simmons resigned due to illness in 1974, the church chose Rev. Benjamin Williams to lead the congregation. Rev. Williams was installed as full-time pastor in 1975 and served for almost 42 years until his death in 2016.

Under Rev. Williams Mt. Calvary began holding services on a regular weekly basis (Prior to his tenure services had been held on alternating weeks) and the church and her ministries expanded to meet the needs of the growing congregation. 

While more land was purchased and additions and renovations to the buildings had been done over the years, a long awaited major construction project was announced in 2021. The dream of a new sanctuary had been fostered by Rev. Ben Williams since the 1990’s but it wasn't until after his death that formal planning for a new sanctuary was begun.

A building that will seat 300 plus 44 in the choir loft will soon replace the current 135 seat sanctuary that will then be converted into the Ben Williams Fellowship Hall.

“One of the most vibrant spiritual traditions that Mt. Calvary continues to practice is River Baptisms, held on the shores of Skull Creek, near Hudson’s Seafood House on the Dock restaurant.  After proclaiming a belief in Jesus Christ, new church members don white baptismal robes and are escorted to Skull Creek, where they are baptized before other witnessing members, friends and family.” Copied from Our History - (mountcalvarymbc.com)

Following Rev. Williams death the church installed their current pastor, Rev. Dr. Deonia Simmons, in November 1917. 

To learn more about Mt. Calvary visit their web site: mountcalvarymbc.com