A History of the Calvary Presbyterian Church

[Founded in 1891]

A brief history of the Calvary Presbyterian Church of Asheville, North Carolina. The church was founded in 1891 by Dr. Charles B. Dusenbury who was sent by the home mission of the Presbyterian Church for the purpose of establishing a church for the black people of the City and County. The Mission had already established two schools in the area, both for whites, namely the Asheville Normal located on the present site of Memorial Mission hospital, and the farm school which is now Warren Wilson College.

Dr. Dusenbury was sent to Asheville by the board of missions as a result of an extensive study he had made of Asheville and its people showing a definite need for a church and a school for the blacks of Asheville and Buncombe County.

Dr. Dusenbury and his small flock prayerfully and faithfully went to work, and in 1892 a site on Eagle St. was purchased on which was erected a fine sanctuary and later a manse.

Public schools for blacks in Asheville had just begun. Therefore, in keeping with the policy of the board of home missions, a parochial school was started in 1894 in the basement of the church, and continued to 1927. Many students became members of the Sunday school and after completing their training joined the church.

Dr. Dusenbury was a graduate of the college and seminary school of Lincoln University, Chester Penn.  He passed away Aug. 27, 1920. There have been four ministers since the untimely death of Dr. Dusenbury, two white and two black. The present pastor is white.