Calvary Episcopal Church is a vibrant, active church filled with people of all ages. Members here find their place in the mission and ministry of the church with the help of the community, finding ways to serve that make their God-given spiritual gifts come to life.

We are located in the Clifton neighborhood, but members of Calvary Church come from over 25 zip codes in the greater Cincinnati area. Our building dates back to 1868, and stands as a historic presence that ties us to those people of faith who went before us and serves as a symbol of stability and hope.

Traditional liturgical worship and robust singing and music make Calvary Church a meaningful and rich place to worship. You will find ancient rhythms of worship in both traditional and fresh expressions at Calvary.

We share the traditions of faith and order with the Church of England, from which the Episcopal Church emerged. As part of the Anglican Communion of which the Church of England is the “mother church,” we use the Book of Common Prayer to guide us in our worship services. And we rely on a “three-legged stool” of Scripture, tradition, and reason to guide us in our spiritual life.

We find the fullest expression of Christian faith in the Holy Scripture, the Creeds, the Sacraments—especially Baptism and Holy Communion, those sacraments that Christ commanded us to continue—and our lay and ordained ministers.

Calvary Episcopal Church Statement of Inclusion: 

• Calvary Church believes God’s love is not limited by human definition.
• We honor the Grace within every human being.
• We love all people because God loves all people.
• We invite every person to join our community without regard to age, color, economic circumstance, religion, ethnic background, nationality, family configuration, gender identity, gender, expression, sexual orientation, politics, or ability (physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual).
• We follow the way of Jesus and affirm the diversity of people’s stories, beliefs, and customs.
• We believe by Jesus’s example, we are called with open hearts and minds to love and serve the community and all people.

(Adopted Lent 2019)

What to expect at Calvary

If you have any questions about the beliefs and ethos of the Episcopal Church or about Calvary Church in particular, you may contact the rector at the church office. We will be happy to talk with you!

How do I join Calvary?
If you are here as a newcomer or an inquirer, have experienced our worship services or just checked out the church and its activities and are interested in joining the Episcopal Church and becoming an Episcopalian, please contact a priest and we will be happy to tell you about the Episcopal Church—what we believe, how we worship, and what makes us distinctive as Christians and people of faith.

Becoming an Episcopalian
You can be a member of Calvary Church without necessarily being an Episcopalian. We welcome you and we are glad you are with us, and will greet you warmly whenever you come.  In general, we recognize you as a member if you attend church regularly, participate in some way in our church and community life, and pledge a financial commitment to the church. We also ask for your contact information so that we can be in touch with you, send you updates in our newsletters, and help you with any pastoral needs you may have. Even if you can only come to church once in a while, you can still be on our mailing list and whenever we see you, we will welcome you with open arms.

Being an Episcopalian is a spiritual commitment. As a liturgical and sacramental church, we believe that the sacraments of Holy Baptism and Holy Eucharist are important to being a member of the Episcopal Church.

If you have never been baptized in any church, we encourage you to be baptized, and thus to make the baptismal vows to God that commits you to a life in Christ. Please check the Rite of Holy Baptism, page 298 in the Book of Common Prayer, to see what happens when you are baptized. Holy Baptism, says the Prayer Book, is “full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body the Church. The bond which God established in Baptism is indissoluble.” This means that there is only one baptism, if done “in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” So if you have been baptized already, in another Christian church, in the name of the Trinity, you do not need to be baptized again.

We do encourage confirmation, if you were baptized as an infant. Confirmation is a mature commitment to Christ and a public reaffirmation of the baptismal vows that were made on your behalf by your parents or guardians. Confirmation is a sacramental rite, of which the outward sign is the laying on of hands by the Bishop. Area confirmations take place each spring, or may be done during the Bishop’s visitation to the parish.

Persons who desire leadership roles in the church, particularly as Vestry members or Wardens, need to be confirmed.

Another important part of being Episcopalian is regular participation in the Sunday rite of Holy Eucharist. Our Savior Jesus Christ himself commanded us not only to baptize but also to share his body and blood “in remembrance of me.” In the Episcopal Church, Holy Eucharist is the principal service on Sundays, and an integral part of the Episcopal faith. We do not take roll or keep attendance records, but we do encourage regular attendance at Sunday services.

Community Hour/Education for All
At Calvary, we believe that Christian formation is not just for the young among us. Rather, we are called to be formed as followers of Christ throughout the lifespan. To that end, we are pleased to offer education for all ages during our Sunday Community Hour, which takes place following our 9:15 Family Service and before our 11:00 Traditional Service begins.

During Community Hour, children in preschool through 6th grade meet for Sunday school and to engage in the Godly Play curriculum. The curriculum invites children to discover God themselves and one another through our sacred stories. Based on the Montessori tradition, Godly Play uses a careful telling of scripture stories, engaging story figures and activities to encourage children to seek and find answers to their faith questions. The program respects the innate spirituality of children and encourages curiosity and imagination in experiencing the mystery and joy of God.

Our junior high and high school youth meet for Youth Group during Community Hour. Ministry to youth includes Christian formation programs, as well as youth-related spiritual and social activities, including youth field trips and mission trips. On Sundays, youth gather for a time of fellowship, discussion of relevant topics, discussion of Bible readings, and various creative activities. Occasionally, extra special events will be scheduled.

Finally, Calvary’s adults meet during Community Hour for diverse opportunities for fellowship and spiritual formation and education. We are currently offering “TED Talk” style presentations that aim to invite engaging speakers to share their interests and ideas as related to the Christian faith. Additionally, many adult formation opportunities exist outside of Sunday mornings: seasonal book studies and other series based on current events, theological themes, and spiritual growth are regularly offered.

“So what does it mean to be a Christian?”
At the heart of our Christian identity is a belief that Christ’s life, death, and resurrection changed and saved the world. As such, we seek to be followers of Christ’s teachings, and to share his love with those we encounter in our everyday lives. Though we share these common beliefs and practices, we each have different ways of living into and sharing our Christian faith with others.