You’ve arrived at the Church of the Apostles, and-whether or not you believe in miracles-this church’s story is all about remarkable transformations! Take a deep breath and imagine you’re standing here in 1891. The air might have been filled with hopeful voices and the soft ringing of hammers, as the Second Calvary Baptist Church-one of Columbia’s earliest African-American congregations-was settling into its brand-new home right on this very spot. Fast forward to the mid-20th century, and picture a grand, modern colonial sanctuary taking shape from 1956 to 1964: clean white brick, lines as crisp as a freshly ironed Sunday shirt, and that four-armed “cruciform” floor plan you see today, designed to fit a big, bustling crowd.
Now, shift gears to 2003. There wasn’t a single Anglican hymn echoing in this building yet! That’s when Church of the Apostles was just a dream, meeting in a museum auditorium-no, really! Their first big moment came in 2011, when the parish moved in here, thanks to a small but mighty group of 25 breakaway Episcopalians and their spirited leader, Rev. Chip Edgar. Under his guidance, the church grew faster than you could say “Hallelujah!”-from those 25 to more than 550 lively souls.
But wait, there’s more! The Church of the Apostles isn’t just about filling pews. It’s a training ground for pastors and a launching pad for new churches from Washington to Texas. Oh, and their dedication to the global Anglican family? They once tithed $100,000 to the Church of Rwanda as a thank-you for early support. So, whether you’re a fan of church history, pipe organs from 1927, or just love a good comeback story, this cathedral’s walls could tell enough stories to fill a sermon-or a season of your favorite podcast!
