Early in 1890, in Spokane, Washington, a small group of African American citizens gathered “to consider the propriety of organizing a church.”  The name Calvary Baptist Church was adopted, and thus was founded the citys first historically black church.  Its founding transcended race and gender, as the white “brethren,” along with the female pastor, from Spokanes First Baptist Church provided both meeting place and sermon on that February day.  Ten years later, a local author noted that the venture “is requiring many sacrifices on the part of the little band… but they are a heroic, Christ-loving people, and will succeed.”  Early pioneer Peter Barrow had helped establish and was pastoring the church at the time.  By 1908, Rev. James McPherson had arrived “to work along practical as well as religious [lines] for the betterment of [our] race in this city.”