About Us

History and Future

We began our journey as a congregation in 1885. “Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour…” we began meeting on the second floor of a building in downtown Cobourg. In 1901, we purchased and renovated the former Methodist Church building on the corner of King and Ball Streets which is still home today.

The generations who have worshipped together over those years have laid the foundation for who we are today–a people gathered to the glory of God, walking together in faith, hope and love. We continue to build on that foundation for the generations to come.

Leadership Teams

Our Deacons’ and Leadership Boards direct and support ministry at Calvary Baptist. Working as a team with the Pastor, these men and women care for the congregation’s spiritual life, shape our expressions of worship, and manage our resources. They work with accountability, integrity, skill, and with a heart for the work of Christ.

What We Believe

Our core beliefs are beautifully expressed in the document What Do Baptists Believe? At heart, we follow the teachings of Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit, according to the calling of God.

We also believe that, as part of our local community, it is our responsibility and our joy to work for the good of our neighbours in collaboration with other churches in Northumberland County.

Ministry Partners

We belong to the family of churches known as the CBOQ (Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec). Through the CBOQ, we partner with CBM (Canadian Baptist Ministries) which represents the broader Baptist family across Canada and through which we are connected to the Baptist World Alliance (BWA). Regionally, we belong to the Trent Valley Association. Locally, we are part of the Cobourg Christian Network which comprises local church and parachurch ministries. For more information on any of these organizations, click in the logos at the bottom of this page.

Our Pastor – Rev. Ruth Wilkinson

I grew up on a farm, got married in a big city, and happily settled somewhere in between. With my husband Paul, I’ve led a life of ministry within and alongside a variety of churches while working as retail staff, waitress, short-order cook, bookkeeper, and mom.

Over the years I’ve established and provided leadership to several street-level ministries that continue to serve their communities, and founded a multi-church worship team that hosted mobile worship events.

I’m a graduate of Tyndale Seminary in Toronto, and am accredited and ordained with the CBOQ. My ministry passions are teaching, pastoring, and music. On Sunday mornings, I can be found here at Calvary Baptist Cobourg preaching and leading the worship service. The rest of the week I spend going where I’m needed for conversation, coffee, communion, and spending time with marginalized friends.

Please introduce yourself if you come for a visit, or drop me a line. I look forward to journeying with you. – Ruth