East Dover Hundred in Kent County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Calvary Baptist Church

Photographed by Don Morfe, October 13, 2019

1. Calvary Baptist Church Marker

Inscription. Calvary Baptist Church-On January 26, 1883, the Delaware Baptist Union was formally incorporated by the state legislature. The purpose of the organization was to spread the message of the denomination and promote the erection and maintenance of houses of religious worship. Soon thereafter a group of African-American residents of Dover who had accepted the Baptist faith began to hold meetings in private homes and a local store. In 1884 the Delaware Baptist Union purchased land at this location on which to build a permanent home for the congregation. The new church was officially dedicated on July 10, 1887. Known as Calvary Baptist Church, it was the second African-American Baptist church to be established in the state. The property was formally conveyed to the trustees of the church in 1924. After a long period of sporadic growth, the congregation experienced an unprecedented expansion in the 1980s under the leadership of Reverend Richard M. Avant. Having outgrown the old facility, a major construction project was undertaken. In 1983, land adjoining the church was provided by William T. and Iris O. Wilson, and Wilson A.

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and Betty M. Waters. The building was expanded to include a full basement, offices, choir room, and enlarged chapel. The project was completed in 1986. Today, Calvary Baptist Church continues to served as a cultural and spiritual center for the residents of the greater Dover community.

Erected 2004 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number KC-87.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 26, 1883.

Location. 39° 9.708′ N, 75° 31.878′ W. Marker is in Dover, Delaware, in Kent County. It is in East Dover Hundred. It is at the intersection of N. Queen Street and Fulton Street on N. Queen Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 410 Fulton Street, Dover DE 19904, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Mid-Atlantic,

on the Delmarva Peninsula,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

Photographed by Don Morfe, October 13, 2019

2. Calvary Baptist Church Marker

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Wesley College (approx. ¼ mile away); Annie Jump Cannon (approx. 0.3 miles away); Former Site of ILC Dover (approx. 0.3 miles away); Site of Dover's First Methodist Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); Richardson and Robbins Complex (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Woodburn: The Governor's House (approx. 0.4 miles away); World War II Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dover.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Woodburn: The Governor's House (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Credits. This page was last revised on May 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2019, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 426 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 19, 2019, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.