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.