Calvary Presbyterian Church in Wilmington most notably refers to the historic church founded in Wilmington, California, whose first one-room building was erected in 1870 and is now known as Memory Chapel. The chapel is considered the oldest extant church in the Wilmington-San Pedro Harbor area, retains its original 1870 pews, and is designated Los Angeles City Historical-Cultural Monument 155.
The name also identifies Presbyterian congregations in Wilmington, Delaware, and in Southern California. These organizations are distinct from the historic Wilmington, California, chapel and should not be treated as one congregation or one building.
Historic Calvary Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, California
The simple, one-room Calvary Presbyterian Church #1 was erected on its first site, on Fries Avenue and G Street, in 1870; it was moved to the present location in 1927. In 2007, it was known as "Memory Chapel." It is considered the oldest extant church in the Wilmington-San Pedro Harbor area.
Calvary Presbyterian Church contains its original pews, dating from 1870. Los Angeles City Historical-Cultural Monument: 155 PCAD id: 8545.
| Feature | Information |
|---|---|
| Structure | Calvary Presbyterian Church #1 |
| Structure type | Built works - religious structures - churches |
| Construction date | 1870 |
| Original location | Fries Avenue and G Street Wilmington, CA 90744 |
| Current location | 1160 North Marine Street Wilmington, CA 90744-3127 |
| Relocation | The building was moved to the present location in 1927 |
| Original furnishings | Original pews dating from 1870 |
| Historic designation | Los Angeles City Historical-Cultural Monument: 155 |
Memory Chapel and the historic photograph
View of a small church building, built 1870 in Wilmington, California. [Not a school house as indicated in the writing on the photograph.] School House, Wilmington, Calif."--text on image.
Research shows the caption on this print is incorrect - it is not a school, but Memory Chapel, the first home of Calvary Presbyterian Church, built in Wilmington in 1870. This building is still standing, and is a designated Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument.
The photograph is attributed to George Washington Hazard, 1842-1914. Its date range was approximated by the cataloger based on the year that film negatives came into use and the latest known dates indicated for other Hazard images in the Huntington's collection.
| Photograph detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | Chapel of Calvary Presbyterian Church, Wilmington, Calif |
| Creator | Hazard, George Washington, 1842-1914 |
| Date created or issued | 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 |
| Contributing institution | Huntington Library |
| Collection | Photographs |
| Type | Image |
| Format | image/jpeg |
| Extent | 1 photograph : print ; sheet 9 x 9.5 cm |
| Identifier | photCL_555 488130 |
| Place | Wilmington (Los Angeles, Calif.) |
This is a print - the original negative is not in this collection. Title devised by cataloger.
The image is held in the Photographs collection of the Huntington Digital Library. The subject classification includes church buildings, Presbyterian church buildings, and photographs.
Locations and chronology
The church address from 1870-1937 was Fries Avenue and G Street, Wilmington, CA 90744. The building was later moved to 1160 North Marine Street, Wilmington, CA 90744-3127.
The relocation preserved a small historic religious structure that had served as the first home of Calvary Presbyterian Church. Its survival makes Memory Chapel an important physical link to Wilmington’s early Presbyterian history and to the development of the Wilmington-San Pedro Harbor area.
Calvary Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, Delaware
A separate congregation in Wilmington, Delaware, describes itself as a revitalizing PCUSA congregation in greater Wilmington, Delaware. It strives to follow Jesus in a community rooted in the “Just as you are” kind of belonging that celebrates and welcomes all.
The congregation identifies as egalitarian and LGBTQ+ affirming. It states: “As Christians, Calvary Presbyterian Church affirms all people are created in the image of God and bear sacred worth. We affirm the Presbyterian Church (USA)’s commitment to ending sinful systems of oppression, hatred, and ignorance through anti-racism, justice, and diversity efforts.”
It also states: “We are humbled by the ongoing work God is doing to create communities made of persons of different genders, races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, abilities, classes, cultures, and other categories of human diversity. Our commitment is to continually learn, grow, and faithfully respond to God’s work.”
The congregation’s listed address is 701 S. Maryland Ave, Wilmington, DE 19804. Worship with us on Sundays at 10:30am.
Calvary Presbyterian Church in Southern California
Another organization using the name Calvary Presbyterian Church presents itself as a Southern California church dedicated to helping all people everywhere know the love of Christ. Whether you’re simply curious about the Gospel or are looking for an established place to worship, CPC is here to help you find the community that you need.
Visit one of our many services and Bible studies, or get access to sermons and Bible study resources online. Let us pray for you and speak more with you about Jesus here.
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Distinguishing the Wilmington churches
- Wilmington, California: the historic Calvary Presbyterian Church #1, founded in 1870, later known as Memory Chapel and designated Los Angeles City Historical-Cultural Monument 155.
- Wilmington, Delaware: a separate PCUSA congregation at 701 S. Maryland Ave that describes itself as egalitarian and LGBTQ+ affirming.
- Southern California: a separate church community offering worship, Bible studies, ministry groups, service opportunities, sermons, and digital resources.
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