Bishop Hezekiah Corbitt

Bishop Hezekiah Corbitt was the founding pastor of Calvary Holiness Church of God, which was formally, Pilgrim Glorious Church, Cayce under the pastorate of Bishop Raymond Hill, who was also the under shepherd for Pilgrim Glorious Church in North Carolina and Orangeburg.  Shortly after being filled with the Holy Ghost in March of 1953, he accepted the call into the ministry; whereas before he had been a Sunday School teacher in his former church, and had felt a higher calling on his life.   He was later ordained an elder under Bishop Raymond Hill before Calvary became independent in 1961.  Bishop Corbitt served as pastor of Calvary from her inception until 1992. 

Bishop Corbitt was known in his church and the community as a man who loved people.  He was warm and friendly and always had a beautiful smile.  At church, he was known to bless the babies with his kisses.  Mothers would look for his blessing because they knew how much he loved the babies.   Bishop Corbitt was also known for his sermons; they were short, but definitely to the point.  Bishop Corbitt loved music as much he enjoyed preaching.  On many occasions he would ask the choir to sing “his favorite song”.  Truth be told, most of the songs were his “favorite song”, as singing was one of his passions.  He loved recognizing folks working in the church by giving certificates recognizing them for their work.

Bishop Corbitt was married to Mother Hattie Corbitt who served with him at Calvary.  God blessed them with five children: Florence, Ruth, Hezekiah Jr., Judy, and Lois.   After her passing, he later married Mother Rebecca Corbitt.

Bishop Corbitt began his pastorate at a time when being sanctified was not popular.  But he stayed the course, regardless how being in Holiness was very much looked down upon by many at that time.  As one of his favorite songs was, “One Day at a Time”, truly he led Calvary with the Lord leading, one day at a time.  Under his pastorate, Calvary moved from a small wood frame church building on Hopkins Street in Cayce to the brick and block structure on Middle Street in May of 1969.  Bishop Corbitt went home to be with the Lord in June of 2002.  His words and songs live on.  When things were done and said, and nothing else to be said or done, his favorite saying was, “Leave it like it is".