For more than 140 years, Calvary Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota has been a prominent landmark and anchor institution in the Whittier neighborhood, one of the most diverse and vibrant neighborhoods in Minneapolis. Named in honor of John Greenleaf Whittier, a prominent 19th-century Quaker poet and abolitionist, the neighborhood shares its namesake with communities in Alaska, Idaho, and Iowa. While much has changed about the Whittier neighborhood since it was developed by the Blaisdell family in the mid-19th century, Calvary Baptist remains a stalwart in the community and is the oldest, continuously active church in the neighborhood.

Designed by prominent Minneapolis architects, Warren Hayes and Harry Jones, the Romanesque Revival-style church was constructed in 1889 during a proliferation of church construction in the city. One of the church’s most striking features is its 110-foot steeple composed of brick, ornate sheet metal, and shingle. While the steeple draws visual attention to this stunning landmark, what draws people through its doors is a strong commitment to the community.

Rooted in Place

Founded in 1883 with the mission of reaching neighborhood kids, today the church has expanded its mission exponentially and is home to a flourishing preschool, a commercial kitchen for small businesses, and a tutoring resource center.

During the 1960s, like many American cities, Minneapolis experienced population and economic decline. While several historic churches moved to the suburbs or closed, Calvary Baptist formed a special committee to evaluate its options and ultimately vetoed the possibility of relocation. At that time, the committee shared a prevailing conviction that, while the congregation faced steep decline and challenges, it should not abandon its mission to serve the community.

Shortly after, the church doubled down on its commitment to serving children in the area by expanding youth programming and hiring a youth director. Time and time again the church has faced challenges and yet has remained steadfast in its commitment to the Whittier neighborhood. Today, the church is part of a strong coalition of neighborhood leaders as part of the Whittier Alliance working to support and enhance the community through projects ranging from public education events to affordable housing work.

Neighbors Hear the Call

Even amidst the drastic ebbs and flows of its membership, the church has continued to prioritize key repairs and renovations over the years to keep its sanctuary welcoming and safe. One of their most critical projects would be the repair of the church’s iconic steeple and tower that were falling apart after more than 120 years of harsh Minnesota winters. Deteriorated masonry and corroded sheet metal had severely compromised the towering structure, and by 2022 church leadership understood that a major restoration project was critical.

A National Fund for Sacred Places (a program of Partners for Sacred Places in collaboration with the National Trust for Historic Preservation) grant of $200,000 and more than $670,000 in matching funds raised by the congregation provided funding for a critical steeple restoration project. As church administrator Dean Caldwell-Tautges noted, “without the grant, we'd still be "on the sidelines" and delaying the project that needed to be done.”

When the church launched its capital campaign to match grant funding in support of the steeple project in October 2023, leadership knew it would require committed outreach and strong community support. Following months of dedicated outreach, the church was overwhelmed by donations and pledges from neighbors, friends, and the broader community in support of this project.

By the end of their fundraising efforts, Calvary Baptist’s leadership found that this campaign strengthened community connections and demonstrated just how important this building and church are to the community. After seeing the newly restored steeple lit against the evening sky, a neighbor said, "It is beautiful! It makes the entire neighborhood!"