Arthur Caliandro is an extraordinary human being and his biography is impressive. His broad appeal is based on an anecdotal, extemporaneous sermon delivery drawing on personal experiences and observations. This “take-home value” style of preaching endears him to the congregation at Marble Collegiate Church and countless others listening on television, radio, and the Internet world-wide. Perhaps more remarkable than his pulpit ministry is the manner in which he has acted as shepherd, chief encourager, and community builder to a very diverse congregation gathered to worship God on Fifth Avenue in New York City.
Born in Portland, Maine, Dr. Caliandro is the son of a Methodist minister and one of three brothers who all joined the ministry. He knew at a very young age that he, too, wanted to be a minister. A graduate of Ohio Wesleyan and Union Theological Seminary, Dr. Caliandro began preaching in rural churches in Ohio and Brooklyn, New York. In 1967 he heeded the call from Marble Collegiate Church and, as a young Associate Minister, was given the mission to build community. In the fall of 1984, Dr. Caliandro succeeded Dr. Norman Vincent Peale as Senior Minister and was formally installed on March 8, 1985.
A myriad of initiatives shepherded by Dr. Caliandro have taken place at Marble Church since 1985: Women are included in ministry, on the board of elders and deacons, and as ushers. Program ministries serve young adults, women, men, couples, gays and lesbians, entrepreneurs and artists. Christian education is offered to infants through adults. A dynamic music ministry flourishes, and a speaker series featuring renowned public figures draws an audience that might not otherwise enter a church. All these and more serve over 15,000 people annually, apart from Sunday morning worship. Through Dr. Caliandro’s leadership, Marble has supported a number of progressive outreach and service organizations. Our annual Easter Offering has helped build a church in Budapest, fund a college education for a grade school class in Harlem, co-found an interfaith partnership of Jewish, Christian and Muslim religious leaders, and provide for hundreds of other causes. The Action Table, Marble’s community outreach ministry, serves others through Habitat for Humanity, Special Olympics and New York Cares. Volunteers provide meals for the homeless and elderly, sponsor Christmas and Easter parties for children and families in need, and contribute to back-to-school initiatives.
Dr. Caliandro has an uncanny ability to listen intently, not only as a pastor attending the needs of an individual, but with a commonsense approach to problem-solving solutions for the greater community. Often those who have participated with him in an exchange of ideas have experienced in the process their own spiritual growth.
He is married to Sandra Graham Caliandro, is the father of Paul and Charles, and grandfather of Christopher, Nicholas, Isabella, Nils and Claudia.