Dr. Arthur Caliandro served as minister of New York City’s historic Marble Collegiate Church for 42 years, where he succeeded Dr. Norman Vincent Peale (author of “The Power of Positive Thinking”) as Senior Minister. Over the years Dr. Caliandro has delivered inspiring messages full of warmth, humor, and down-to-earth practical advice to a worldwide audience through radio, television, print and the Internet.
During his ministry, Dr. Caliandro established extensive, unprecedented outreach and community-building programs. He led Marble Collegiate to become the first church in the U.S. to adopt an “I Have A Dream” class, promising a college education to dozens of Harlem schoolchildren. He co-founded “A Partnership of Faith” to serve as a moral voice relating to New York City issues, and to provide the city’s clergy – Catholic, Jewish, Muslim and Protestant – with an opportunity to get to know one another across faith-tradition lines.
Under Dr. Caliandro’s leadership, Marble Church thrived and developed into one of the largest, most active and diverse congregations in New York City, with a renowned reputation as an innovative, welcoming community.
Dr. Caliandro retired as Senior Minister at Marble Collegiate Church in February 2009.
A graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University and Union Theological Seminary, Dr. Caliandro served in a wide range of settings from rural churches in Ohio and New York, to an inner-city parish in Brooklyn, to his decades-long ministry at Marble Church.
The son of a Methodist Minister, Reverend Caliandro is originally from Portland, Maine, and currently resides in New York City. He is the author of three books: “You Can Make Your Life Count”; “Simple Steps: Ten Things You Can Do to Create an Exceptional Life”; and “Lost and Found.” Dr. Caliandro speaks regularly to religious, civic and business groups and is an inspiration to those who hear his words of hope and possibilities.
I’m told that someone will be uploading dozens of Dr. Caliandro’s sermons onto this website. It will be great to read all of his inspirational writings again. Maybe some day you will put an audio feature on the Blog Website so people can hear Dr. Caliandro preach on tape.
promotion of love on the internet is to be appluaded.
I’m interested in the books too.
Hello Again Art!
I am the pastor of this church in Rensselaer, New York now, and I am licensed. You better come to my ordination in Bronxville, New York this fall. When I accepted this call I prayed with Marian at Poling Chapel @ Marble. My congregation is getting to see my “Caliandro style” of preraching. You taught me to never-never-never give up and whn the student is ready the teacher will come. My first day in the office I had members of the congregation listen to you. I was also on the phone with ny friends at Marble. Marble’s love can change a person’s life, you and Dr. Ed Mulder are my heroes. Dr. Dale Irvin is coming here to preach this Fall, Rev. Elice Higgenbotham of Riverside Church is coming next week to preach, Dr Paul Bradley is coming to be my substitute when I am off, Sister Carol Perry has a standing invitation, Dr. Bill Steele is being invited and I want to invite you this Fall. We pray for Dr. Mulder’s recovery because I want Ed to preach here. Look at all those Dutch names around this town is might beat out Holland, Michigan. Love You my dear friend and now colleague.
Unfortunately I am not computer literate. I have been searching for a way to contact Art Caliandro, whom I have known since I was performing in NYC. I also was an International Editor for Guidepost. In addition, I did special performances and programs in the hall, and played the grand for the luncheons. BOY DO I MISS IT ALL! Do you have a fax number for Art ?
I have fond memories of listening to Dr. Caliandro when I was a young man in New York City in 1979. Dr.C had VERY large shoes to fill, considering he had seceded Norman Vincent Peale, but I have to tell you that the his sermons in 1979 inspired me to love God as I never had, and his words and thoughts lead me to human greatness. He taught me to love Jesus Christ, and in doing so, he lead me to success that I never thought possible for a man of my humble origins. Thank you Dr. Caliandro. You don’t know or remember me personally, but you had such a wonderful impact on my life. :))))
Michael
Michael –
Thank you for your kind words and affirmations. I am very humbled and touched by your kind expressions. Bless you!
Arthur,
I can only express how wonderful it is for me to be able to pull up your blog at anytime during my day. I read each one again and again, and each reading leaves me feeling full of love and warmth…much as your sermons always did at Marble. Your insights and advice, and the tone of your blogs always fills me with warmth and compassion and a feeling of wellbeing. They help me to be more patient and kind at work, more considerate.
Thank you for being there!
Gill
Dear Dr. C. I don’t expect you’ll remember me, a few years back I sent you one
of my writings and you were kind enough to write back a message that is still
one of my most prized possessions. Very briefly since, I have married a wonderful Christian lady, I attend Linton United Methodist Church and play
lead guitar, Faye my wife, plays keyboard. Our Preacher, Bro. Kenny Rogers
(no relation to the singer) is well aware of you and of your wonderful messages. I sent him “Kindness Matters” and he loved it just as I have. I hope
you are well, I miss the broadcasts from there, but I still keep in touch.
Your brother in Christ,
John Hainsworth
johnhainsworth@gmx.com
202 West Avenue
Cadiz, KY 42211
270-522-3759
John – belated thanks for your warm greeting. I am happy for the happiness you are enjoying with your wife and church. Thank you for all your kindness.
Dr. Caliandro: A couple of years ago, I purchased your book “Simple Faith: Messages of Hope and Love”. However, I never really sat down to read it until now. Today, more than ever, your messages hit home with me. Maybe waiting was the best thing afterall. The messages you share in that book are just what I need at this particular time in my life. I can’t thank you enough for writing that book. God Bless you always.
Krunoslav Hajduković, Croatia – Europe
First: I apologize for my very, very bad English script. but I have faith that you will understand me.
Dear Dr. Arthur Caliandro
I bring you the first time.
I did not know how to get in touch with someone from the Marble Collegiate Church, and then I found your blog.
In Croatia, A few years ago my good friend recommended me to read the book, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale – “If you think you can!” This is a book that gives me strength to go on my own strength and faith. I read it five times, because once again I find something new and deeper.
I have a wife and two young children (3.5 years old, Lara, and 2 months old, Mark). I and my wife Anita I thank God every day that are healthy and we are happy family.
I believe in good faith and truth that is in the book
“If you think you can” (Dr. Norman Vincent Peale)
I would like to live by the principles described in the book.
I have a burning desire to visit the Marble Collegiate Church because I believe that radiates uniqueness, inspiration, faith, goodness, peace, tranquility, …
I believe in the future I will come visit you in the Marble Collegiate Church, it is my desire.
Dr. Arthur Caliandro please pray for my family, to live in faith, peace and blessing.
It would be my great honor to contact me by mail or send me a letter.
Address;
Krunoslav Hajduković
Forno Grande 39, 52 100 Vodnjan, Croatia
Mail: krunoslavh4@gmail.com
A big thank you for everything you do and helps so many people.
Thank you once again.
God is with you.
Dear Friend,
Your kind words were like a post-Christmas card for me. I deeply appreciate your thoughtfulness. I love your spirit. My sense is that your life will increase in meaning and affect as time goes on. You are a man of faith and this will give you great comfort and joy in the years ahead.
I hope you can make it to the United States and Marble Collegiate Church sometime. I have been retired for three years, but still live in New York. Should you come to the States, please let me know.
You may be interested to know that when I was at Marble Collegiate Church, and would eat out at a restaurant, I often went to an Italian restaurant owned and run by a Croatian man, which was one of my favorite places to eat. I carry good thoughts of people from your wonderful country.
God bless you and may your New Year be joyous and fulfilling.
Warm regards,
Arthur
Hello Dr. Arthur Caliandro,
I am so glad that you have your blog. I really miss seeing you in church or hearing you on the radio. I was a member of Marble some years back and I moved to Bainbridge Island, just outside of Seattle, WA. When I moved the internet was not what it is today and listening to your sermons online was not a possibility. I was so grateful that my father who lived in NJ would record your sermons on WOR radio and send them to me on a tape cassette. I still have many of them and listen to them in my car. I would often visit around the holidays and would make it to most of your Christmas sermons.
I remember one sermon in particular where you talked about the great mentors in your life, I believe one of them was Homer Serveck, another was Norman Vincent Peale and I cant remember the third at the moment. Years back in my life I began to see these mentors appear in my life. You being one of them. I want to say thank you for the enormous courage and honesty you showed at the pulpit talking about your weaknesses and strength. So often using yourself and your experiences to guide and relate on a personal level really connected with me. I feel so many of us are so hungry for that kind of truth and honesty in our lives and when we don’t get it we are starving ourselves. Thanks for not just being a figure head of Marble but for being a friend to all who entered those doors on 5th ave.
Thanks Arthur and God Bless,
Jon
Jon,
Thank you – you are most kind to have taken the time to write me. I’m touched that these sermons and blogs have been so meaningful and helpful to you.
Reading comments like yours has helped make my day.
Thank you, friend.
Lee Bitzer
Hi Art,
I just found you again after many years. Thanks for the help that you give to so many of us.
It is always inspiring to hear are read the words of Dr.Caliandro. He been a great friend to Lubbock, Texas for many years.
Hi Art,
Just found you on this website. How are you doing? Thank you for your friendship over the years and the help you gave me when Dolores passed on. I have a lot of great memories from Portland High.
The very best to you and your wife in retirement.
Ray
Arthur-the Jaguar Guy ,from Charlotte NC.Bill Evans.Thank you for time in Study after maybe your last sermon at Marble.
Better financial times ,I would fly up to NYC,just to come to Church at Marble .
And to sit with Dorothy and Henry ,,,then Dorothy after Henry passed away.
Andrea and I went on this forever memorable trip with you and Marble to Berlin,Dresden,Prague,and Budapest .Highlight was Dedication of Church(years of no freedom to worship)in Budapest.
I decided to be Free.Hate the word Retired .
Am doing some from the heart Passion oriented things now .Fashion Design,
Furniture Design .
At Marble,Dr Brown is from Winston Salem NC.I went to Wake Forest ,,there -on Football scholarship.My hometown Mocksville NC is 20 miles away.
Kinda Strange .I watch on Streaming .NYC from Mocksville .HOME TOWNS>
A Theme of Marble .
God Bless You.
i
love arthur his sermons truly inspires me over the years and still does