Calvary Baptist Church
4700 Huntington Avenue
Newport News, VA 23607
757-244-4771

http://www.cbcnn.org/templates/lif01bl/default.asp?id=19830

http://www.nnhs65.com/02-15-15-NNHS-Helen-Canaday-Simms.html

http://www.nnhs65.com/08-14-16-NNHS-Al-Simms.html

 
WAY BACK THEN: THEN: NOW:
1918 1952 or 1953 Saturday, January 29, 2005
Image by Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA
I was snooping through my mother's old photo albums and came across this undated newspaper clipping
from the Daily Press.

My parents were married
in Calvary Baptist Church
on 17 September 1944.

...Speaking of Calvary, I found some pictures my dad took and developed of the original structure as the Educational Building was being built.  This was about 1952 or 53.  My sis was born in February of '52 and she was not yet one, so it might be '52.  You can also see the old Colonial Store on the corner!!  I loved this building best, and she also had a picture of the entire Sunday School taken inside.  The woodwork inside was so beautiful.  It was small, but I think I liked it better!  I'll have to get that pic and scan it.  Maybe some of our friends who went there can try to pick out their parents, grandparents etc.  It was taken in 1944, I think.  I can still remember running around the arches and playing in the baptistery!!!  Hard to believe it was so long ago!    

Sarah's image of the North End Colonial Store made me want
to capture the "Now" image. Incidentally, Colonial Stores evolved from the Pender chain. The creator of that chain, David Pender, once lived in a home
about 100 yards from mine
here in Norfolk.
Courtesy of Dave Spriggs ('64)
of VA - 07/02/03
Thanks, Dave!		 Courtesy of Sarah Puckett Kressaty ('65) of VA - 09/11/04
WOWZERS!  Thanks, Sarah!		 Courtesy of Dave Spriggs ('64)
of VA - 01/29/05
Oh, WOW!  Thanks, Dave!
 
NOW:
Monday, August 11, 2003 Saturday, January 17, 2004
Image by Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA - 08/11/03
Thanks, Dave!		  Images by Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA - 01/17/04
Thanks, Dave!

"3/4 inch  X 2 inch Trolley Ticket for a long ago Sunday School  trip
from Buckroe Beach to Old Point Virginia. This ticket has aged well
and has no user value. It was for the Calvary Baptist Sunday School. 
I would guess it is from the 1920 but have no real knowledge of the fact.
Some age fade appears..."
Courtesy of Dave Spriggs ('64)
of VA - 10/11/05
Thanks, Dave!

NOW: EVEN LATER NOW:
"My dad, Albert E. Simms, was pastor of Calvary Baptist Church
in NN for 14 years from 1945 until the first of 1960; he is well known
by many of the members of the community in NN."

- Al Simms ('60) of VA - 01/07/04
Thanks, Al!

Thanksgiving 2000 - Rev. Albert E. Simms, Sr. ministering
to his family in the Lakewood Manor Chapel, Richmond, VA

Mr. Simms passed away in Richmond
on Monday, December 29, 2003.  His obituary is linked above.
Richmond Times-Dispatch - Wednesday, December 31, 2003

Hi Carol,
 
Every time I see Al Simms' ('60 - of VA) most recent photo I can't help but think how much he now favors his father, Rev. Albert E. Simms (d. 29 Dec 2003), long time pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Newport News. Mr. Simms baptized me in 1955 I believe and for several years he worked in our Bible School with young boys showing us a few wood working skills. I still have a cat's head broom holder in my garage that Rev. Simms help me make. He and his family were very special people, and when he decided to move to Lynchburg, VA to take a big church there, the folks at Calvary Baptist were devastated. Rev. Simms had the pastor's "touch" like few did. Calvary's glory years were when he was pastor.

So he left and Calvary eventually called another pastor, Lonnie Quillan. I often thought of our old pastor, Rev. Simms and as luck would have it we met again. I had opened a restaurant in Lynchburg, VA in 1972 for my company. (Fass Brothers Fish House, some may remember it)

And on Sunday after church guess who walked in? Yep, you got it! Rev. Albert E. Simms and his wife, Helen. I had to jiggle his memory a bit but as soon as I mentioned my parents he put it all together. He was just so kind and encouraging and I loved talking to him again. He returned several more times and, of course, was always the gentleman. But what a positive influence he was for me and I would venture to say for all the young people at Calvary back in the 1950's.
 
- Ed Nichols ('62) of Northern VA  - 04/03/09
Thanks, Ed!

At Calvary

- Words and Music by William R. Newell and Daniel B. Towner
 

Years I spent in vanity and pride,
Caring not my Lord was crucified
Knowing not it was for me He died
On Calvary...

Chorus
Mercy there was great and grace was free,
Pardon there was multiplied to me,
There my burdened soul found liberty
At Calvary

By God's Word at last my sin I learned,
Then I trembled at the law I'd spurned,
Till my guilty soul imploring turned,
To Calvary...

Now I've giv'n to Jesus ev'rything,
Now I gladly own Him as my King,
Now my raptured sould can only sing,
Of Calvary...

O the love that drew salvation's plan!
O the grace that brought it down to man!
O the mighty gulf that god did span
At Calvary...

"At Calvary" midi courtesy of Al Simms ('60) of VA, who sequenced it himself - 01/10/04
WOW!  Thanks, Al!

"At Calvary" lyrics courtesy of http://www.angelfire.com/nf/music4christ/hymns/lyrics/atcalvarylyrics.html - 01/11/04

Southern Baptist Convention logo courtesy of http://www.alsbom.org/templates/System/details.asp?id=36469&PID=407365 - 01/23/08

Gold Filigree Divider courtesy of
 http://webclipart.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.geocities.com%2FParis%2FRue%2F3695%2Fborder2.html - 12/15/03

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