Calvary Moravian Church

Calvary Moravian Church Calvary Moravian Church is a congregation of the Moravian Church in America, South. A handsome brick chapel was constructed, and dedicated on December 10, 1889.

“West” Winston was mostly wooded but growing fast in the 1880’s, and a number of Moravians were settling there. But they soon found that Salem’s Home Church was too far away to attend services regularly. The need for a new church was there, and Calvary was begun to fill that need, thus becoming the first Moravian church in Winston. Less than four years later, on April 20, 1893, Calvary was formall

y organized as a branch of Salem Congregation in the Southern Province. A parsonage was constructed the next year. Calvary’s chapel was quite large, comparable in size to some of the churches of other denominations in Winston and able to seat 350. But soon it wasn’t large enough for fast growing Calvary. Construction began in 1923 on a magnificent structure with a distinctly Moravian design, crowned with a tower to house Winston’s former town clock. On January 25, 1931, the last Sunday of his life, Bishop Edward Rondthaler presided at the dedication of Calvary’s fine new church building. It still serves today as Calvary’s place of worship. Construction of the church came early in the pastorate of Edmund Schwarze, who served Calvary for 34 years, from 1916 to 1950. Shortly after Schwarze’s arrival, Calvary members helped him purchase a “machine,” a new Dodge automobile, to help his visitations to the large
and scattered membership. Mission work was supported with the adoption in 1919 of Kenneth G. Hamilton as Calvary’s “missionary pastor” to Nicaragua. In the early 1920’s Calvary assisted in the beginning of another suburban Moravian church — Ardmore. After Bishop Schwarze’s retirement, Calvary continued its progress. A new parsonage was acquired in 1958, and in 1962 a large addition was built to the Christian education building. In 1977 Calvary made history when Carol Foltz was installed as associate pastor, becoming the first woman ordained into the ministry in the Southern Province. Calvary’s 100th anniversary was celebrated with a year of services, culminating in November 1993 with the burial of a time capsule to be opened in another century. Moravian Archives, 2002

As our fall programming begins soon, we’ll also resume our beautiful and diverse musical ensemble rehearsals. The Calvar...
08/31/2026

As our fall programming begins soon, we’ll also resume our beautiful and diverse musical ensemble rehearsals. The Calvary Band, led by Brian Lott, rehearses Sunday mornings at 10:30am in the balcony and leads our pre-service prelude as well as regular musical offerings during worship. If you play an instrument or want to learn one, see Brian to get involved.

On Sunday, September 13th, the Calvary Ringers handbell choir will begin practice at 9 AM in the Handbell Room on the 3rd floor.

On Wednesday, September 16th, Chancel Choir will resume at 7 PM in the Sanctuary.

On the Second and Fourth Sundays of each month, beginning September 27th, the children’s Sunday School hour (Elementary Class) will begin with Children's Choir in the 3rd floor Children’s Choir Room. Amanda will lead them and then take them to their classrooms.

We welcome anybody interested in making a joyful noise unto the Lord! For more information, please contact Amanda Schumpert of Brian Lott.

08/30/2026
Women’s Fellowship Bible study will resume on Wednesday mornings on starting September 2nd at 10 AM in the Burke Room. T...
08/27/2026

Women’s Fellowship Bible study will resume on Wednesday mornings on starting September 2nd at 10 AM in the Burke Room. The study will last 10 weeks and the study guide will be “God of the Covenant” on Genesis 12 - 50. There is a Zoom option as well that can be found in your weekly e-blast. All are welcome and if you have any questions please contact Bette Peterson.

Our Wednesday evening Bible study resumes on September 16th at 6 PM. Each week we'll dig into the upcoming Sunday's worship service: reading the lectionary passages, exploring the themes that connect them, and discussing our hymn, liturgy, and text choices. The goal is to bring a deeper, more informed perspective into Sunday morning worship. We meet in person and via Zoom so all are welcome!

We are so excited to kick-off another year of ministry at Calvary with our kickoff on September 13th! We hope you’ll joi...
08/26/2026

We are so excited to kick-off another year of ministry at Calvary with our kickoff on September 13th! We hope you’ll join us as we celebrate education in all its forms, beginning with Calvary coffee cake and coffee in Fellowship Hall at the start of the Sunday School hour, (9:45-10:15 AM.) Then, we’ll head to our new classrooms to make sure we all know where we’re going and do a fun intro lesson. During worship, we’ll give out the Second Floor stars to those kids coming up from Nursery and those moving into Youth Fellowship. And then, after worship, our Men’s Fellowship will host a church-wide lunch in the Fellowship Hall at 12 PM.

From August 24th through November 23rd, I will be away from Calvary on sabbatical.The practice of sabbath rest is older ...
08/24/2026

From August 24th through November 23rd, I will be away from Calvary on sabbatical.

The practice of sabbath rest is older than any of us, a rhythm built into creation itself, and one the church has always struggled, rightly, to take seriously. After years in the regular rhythms of pastoral life, the Joint Board has given me this season away: time for rest, time with family, and time for study I have not otherwise had room to pursue. I am grateful to them for making it possible, and to this congregation for the trust that gift reflects.

I do not take this time away lightly. A congregation continues to need care while its pastor steps back, and I am thankful that you will be well looked after in my absence. Amanda Schumpert and Pastor Nola Knouse will provide pastoral care and be available for any emergencies. For administrative matters, Jacob Patrick will be glad to help.

I covet your prayers over these months, not only for my own rest but for the life of this church while I am away. I go with confidence that Calvary is in good hands, and I look forward to returning to you in late November with a fuller heart and, I hope, a clearer sense of what these next years of ministry together might hold.

Grace and peace,
Pastor Chaz

The watchword for the week
08/23/2026

The watchword for the week

Address

600 Holly Avenue
Winston-Salem, NC
27101

Telephone

+13367223703

Website

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