One day some 50 years ago the Rev. J.H. Jarvis opened up a new ledger, took pen in hand and wrote what might be termed the first history of Calvary Presbyterian Church

"Record of the Organization of the Calvary Presbyterian Church --Swan Quarter, N.C., May 4, 1902"

After due notice given publicly, and after religious services held in the Tiny Oak School House by the Rev. W.D. Morton, D.D., the organization of a Presbyterian church was effected as follows--On a call for the names of such persons as desired to unite in forming the church, the following persons came forward, all of whom were received upon confession of Faith...vis:

Robert Williams	Lenora Williams
Walter Girkins	Emily Flowers
Emlious Williams	Lyda Midyette
W.A. Harris	Ette Warner
Lizzie Jarvis	Louisa Jarvis
Hugh Williams	Salomia Harris
Claira Girkins	Ebbie Mason
J.W. Greene	Captain George Williams

W.A. Harris was chosen ruling Elder and Captain George Williams and J.W. Greene were elected Deacons.  This election of officers was held by ballot.

After divine service in the evening, Brothers Harris, Greene and Williams, having signified their acceptance of the office to which they were elected were solemnly ordained and installed after the mode prescribed in the form of government, after which a suitable charge was delivered by the moderator.  Note: This report of the above organization was made by Rev. W.D. Morton, D.D., to the Presbytery of Albemarle in session at Wilson, N.C., on September 25^th 1902.  This report was received and approved by the Presbytery and the new church at Swan Quarter ordered to be enrolled among the churches of Presbytery.  Attest: J.H. Harris

Plans were made and work on the church building was begun that same year.  All did not go smoothly, however, for a severe storm in the early part of 1903 blew the uncompleted building off its foundation.  The officers and the members of the church were not discouraged, but pledged themselves with new determination to repair the loss.  At a session meeting held in the manse April 29, 1903.  The recent disaster to the church building was much talked of and the moderator was requested to have an appeal published in the Presbyterian Standard, and also secure some coin cards for distribution.  At a session meeting held September 30, 1903, the church was much talked of an plans laid by which we hoped to get the building in condition to be used before cold weather begins.  These plans were doom to frustration, however, for the uncompleted church building was destined to be blown off its foundation once again, and it was not until the summer of 1905 that it was completed and ready for use.  These two disaster caused the building to lean to one side, and it wasn't until the summer of 1952, when asbestos shingles were installed on the outside of the building, that this was corrected.  While the building was being erected the session met either at the manse or in the school house.  The first session meeting in the new church building was held September 28, 1905.

Sunday School was organized by Miss Sue Daniels (now Mrs. Webb) who was here at the time teaching school in the church building.  A great deal of interest was taken in the Sunday School, which soon grew to an enrollment of five teachers and sixty pupils.

The only marriage to ever be held in the church was that of James W. Williams to Louise Blanche Jarvis in 1911.  The Rev. J.H. Jarvis performed the ceremony.  Mr. and Mrs. Williams are the parents of our present Sunday School Superintendent, Odis Williams.  Mrs. Williams was a charter member of the church.

The first pastor of the church was Rev. J.H. Jarvis who served for about eleven years.  He was a man of conviction, courageous, not easily discouraged, and who well deserved to be "commended for preaching the plain Gospel without reference to any denomination". (This quote came from the Minutes of the Session, September 25, 1903.)

The next pastor to serve the church was Rev. Graham Anderson who was here for one year.  He was followed by Rev. Robert E. Henderlite who served from March 21, 1915 until September 26, 1920.  Rev. Henderlite stands with Rev. Jarvis as one of the great pioneer pastors of this church.  He is still known throughout the county for his zeal and unfailing energy.  He preached the Gospel whenever and wherever he had the opportunity, from Sladesville and Rose Bay to Fairfield and Engelhard, at a time when travel was difficult and it was no easy task to arrange and conduct meetings at distant points.

Rev. Henderlite was followed by Rev. H.H. [Harold Houston] Leach who was here for three years (September 1920-May 1923), Rev. I.N. [Isaac Newton] Clegg (July 1924-May 1930), and J.T. [John Thomas] Wildman (Sept. 1930-April 1935).  For five years after Rev. Wildman left, this church was without a regular pastor, but was served by S.W. DuBose in the summer of 1935, and B.H. Ormond in the summer of 1936, both as student supply.  Four years passed by before another student was sent for the summer months; T.F. Harnsberger (July -Sept, 1940.  Once again the church was without a pastor, this time for nearly three years until April 1943 when Rev. J.C. Hines, a retired minister living in Washington, North Carolina, accepted the pastorate.  During Rev. Hines' ministry the Sunday School was reorganized with Mrs. J.H. [John Henry] Wildman as Superintendent, and Mrs. Rhoda Spencer as Secretary-Treasurer.  Also during Rev. Hines' stay the Henderlite Memorial Presbyterian Church near Sladesville was dissolved by a commission from the Presbytery and the members of that church were invited to unite with Calvary Presbyterian Church.  In 1951 Rev. Hines requested that his resignation be accepted, as his health would not permit him to continue the work.  His resignation was accepted at the congregational meeting March 18, 1951.  After Rev. Hines left, the work of the church fell to a new low, and there was a good deal of discouragement among the more faithful members.  Indeed, so poor were the prospects for the future that it was brought to the attention of the congregation that Rev. Hines, in all probability, would be the last pastor to serve.  Despite this feeling of discouragement, the members and officers resisted successfully all efforts on the part of Presbytery to close down the church.

In the summer of 1951 Jesse Parks came as student supply and was used by God to revive the church.  A building fund began to accumulate, and plans were made to repair the church and build a couple of Sunday School room at the back of the auditorium.  June 1, 1952, James MacKenzie came as student supply.  He was ordained at Calvary Presbyterian Church in September 1953.  The Sunday School was reorganized in February 1953 and quickly grew to its present size (between 40 & 50 in attendance).  Especially active were the young people's classes taught by Milton Carawan and Margaret Spencer.  In the summer of 1953, Rev. Irvine Chambers conducted a revival.  Since the revival the following improvements have been made to the church property: asbestos shingles placed on the outside of the building, a new roof, two new Sunday School rooms, gas heating placed in the auditorium, new hardwood floor and new carpet.  To further improve the appearance of the church auditorium, the First Presbyterian Church of Ahoskie gave better benches and two stained glass windows.  In addition to the improvements, a building was purchased and moved on the lot from Engelhard to be used as a Sunday School building.  With the cooperation and assistance of the Home Demonstration Club which has use of the new building, a new roof was placed and a porch built on the front of it.  In the boy's classroom there is a ping pong table and other games for the young people to use during the week.

The last Sunday in August 1952, the first Homecoming was held to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the church.

Source for history: Microfilm #053.08001 from the North Carolina Dept. of Archives & History, Raleigh, NC