On February 16, 1847 in Eatonton, NC, a child was born to Edward and Fanny Skinner. They named him Calvin.

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Prior to 1900, Calvin Skinner moved to Philadelphia to find better opportunities for himself. According to family sources, other members of the family were also in the city, particularly a brother named Dennis. Calvin Skinner met Emma Henderson in Philadelphia and married her in 1885. They had one daughter named Iona. He was a member of the Bethel AME Church.

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It was Dennis Skinner who first heard the man crying in the wilderness, on the streets of Philadelphia, “…the time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” The message was so alarming and disturbing, that it arrested the interest and curiosity of Dennis Skinner. Like so many before him, he wanted everyone to hear this man he believed was preaching the truth. He did his best to convince his brother, Calvin, to join him and listen. Calvin, as a member of the Methodist church, did not believe in listening to “street preachers,” however, Dennis persisted in asking Calvin to come and hear this “Prophet.”

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One evening in the Spring of 1900, Calvin Skinner walked toward Broad Street. When he reached Broad Street, he saw a very demonstrative man who seemed to be roaring as he preached. As he got closer to the intersection of Broad and Rodman Street, he was better able to understand what was being said. He heard these words from Prophet William S. Crowdy, “My sheep know my voice and a stranger they will not follow.” He immediately understood that he knew the voice and that he did not wish to continue to follow in the Methodist tradition.

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After the Prophet's sermon, Calvin Skinner went to him and said, “Prophet, I want to join you.” Prophet Crowdy, perceiving that Calvin Skinner was not one to be comfortable on the street, told him, "Wait, I don’t have a place to worship.” However, Skinner’s interest in joining was so strong that he and a committee found a place for worship called O’ Neil Hall on Broad and Lombard Street in the Spring of 1900. Calvin Skinner joined the Church of God and Saints of Christ on June 9, 1900. He was ordained to the ministry later in 1900 by Prophet William S. Crowdy.

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Elder Skinner had storehouse master experience prior to joining the Church. During the first Eastern District Assembly of 1901, the Prophet appointed Elder Skinner, District Storehouse Master. He remained in Philadelphia and was a tremendous help to Prophet Crowdy.

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At the General Assembly of 1904 in Washington D.C., the Prophet made three significant appointments: Evangelist Joseph W. Crowdy was appointed Chief of the Pulpit; Evangelist William H. Plummer was appointed Grand Father Abraham and over all of the business; and Elder Calvin Skinner was appointed Counselor of the Church of God and Saints of Christ. Later, the Prophet appointed Elder Skinner General Storehouse Master.

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After the purchase of the farmland at Belleville, Virginia, Elder Skinner spent brief periods in Philadelphia, as his whole mind was centered on the development of the community. In 1915, during one of his trips between Huntersville, Virginia, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, his beloved wife, St. Emma Skinner, passed. He remained a widower for the rest of his life.

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At the Assembly of 1909 in Philadelphia, the Presbytery Board moved to consecrate to the Bishopric Evangelist Joseph Crowdy, Evangelist William Plummer and Elder Calvin Skinner. Elder Skinner believed it was administratively crucial that the Church be led by Bishops. He understood the great burden of responsibility thrust upon Evangelists Joseph W. Crowdy and William H. Plummer, thereby necessitating that they become Bishops. The future of the Church and the work of Prophet Crowdy was foremost in the mind of Elder Skinner. Elder Skinner declined to accept the opportunity of being consecrated a Bishop. He stated that he desired to retain the office given him by Prophet Crowdy, therefore focusing attention on the younger men as the public representatives of the Church.

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Elder Calvin S. Skinner, Counselor, stayed for short periods in both Philadelphia and Huntersville, Virginia. He officially moved to the South on December 11, 1917 with a new spirit, purpose, and direction. He was there to help Grand Father Abraham regain the Bellville farmland; the place that the Lord told the Prophet to “…buy it for the Saints.”

He lived in Huntersville and learned as much as he could to help his leader and friend Bishop William H. Plummer be better prepared with information for the redemption of the farm. When Bishop William H. Plummer eventually moved to Belleville, Counselor Skinner subsequently moved from Huntersville to Belleville.

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From 1919 until 1931, Elder Skinner was actively involved with the work of Bishop William H. Plummer as Bishop Plummer developed the community of Belleville. If Bishop Plummer moved to the right, then Elder Skinner moved to the right and encouraged everyone else to do the same. These two pioneers in Belleville existed as two separate, strong, individual men with specific purposes, yet they were united in their commitment and dedication to the work of God brought by Prophet Crowdy.

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On December 22, 1931, the announcement was made about the passing of Bishop William H. Plummer. Elder Skinner, in the midst of his own personal grief, recognized that he had an urgent mission to accomplish.. He immediately sent for a sad and grieving Elder Howard Z. Plummer. Elder Plummer responded to Elder Skinner’s request and the information which Counselor Skinner conveyed had an immediate impact upon the young Elder.

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They discussed numerous topics relative to the future of the Church. However, two items of the discussion were of paramount importance. First, Elder Skinner apprised Elder Howard Z. Plummer that he was now leader. Elder Skinner assured Elder Plummer that he would support him just as he had done with all of his predecessors. Secondly, Elder Skinner informed Elder Plummer that arrangements concerning the interment of Bishop William H. Plummer could not be completed until the remains of Chief, Bishop Joseph W. Crowdy, were obtained from Boston, MA. Counselor Skinner reminded the new Leader of the agreement made by the Chief and Bishop Plummer that they were to be buried together, and that it was Elder Plummer’s responsibility to insure that the wishes of the two men were fulfilled. Therefore, in making funeral arrangements for Bishop William H. Plummer, care had to be taken not to have his burial until the remains of Chief, Bishop Joseph W. Crowdy were in Belleville.

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On Sunday, December 27, 1931, funeral services were held for Bishop William H. Plummer in Belleville, Virginia. The presiding official was Senior Bishop James W. Brent of Camden, New Jersey. The list of church notables who spoke of the life and works of Bishop William H. Plummer was led by Elder Calvin Skinner. He spoke glowingly of his former Leader, friend and co-worker. The brilliance of his speech, coupled with his tenderness, touched the hearts of most of the listeners who had gathered to pay their final respects to Bishop William H. Plummer.

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A call meeting by the Presbytery Board was scheduled for Monday, December 28, 1931, in the Tabernacle at Belleville, Virginia. It began at 1:40 P.M. with the singing of “I Love Thy Church O God.” Prayer was led by Bishop Thomas C. Person, followed by the statement of Bishop James W. Brent, explaining the purpose of the meeting. Bishop Brent called upon Doctor J. L. McGriff, dentist and personal friend of Bishop William H. Plummer. Dr. McGriff spoke of his friendship and continual companionship through the years with the deceased Leader, and of the many confidences that were exchanged between the two friends. Dr. McGriff stated that Bishop William H. Plummer had expressed to him that his son, Howard, was to succeed him in leadership.

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Following Dr. McGriff’s statement, Attorney Clayton E. Rabey, who was both Bishop William H. Plummer’s personal attorney and attorney for the School, spoke. He relayed details about the various conversations held with Bishop Plummer regarding the training and education of his son, Elder H. Z. Plummer, in the affairs of the Church and School for the purpose of succeeding him. The statements were received and accepted with a standing vote of thanks.

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After having a chair placed in the designated location for the purpose of consecrating a new Chief Executive, Elder Howard Z. Plummer was asked to come forth and sit in that chair. After Elder Plummer was seated, the members of the Bishops’ Council and the Presbytery Board gathered around him for the purpose of elevating him as Leader of the Church and as Grand Father Abraham. They began to place their hands upon his head.

Prior to this moment, Elder Calvin Samuel Skinner had remained quiet as he sat in his wheel chair, in front of the pulpit on the right side of the Tabernacle. However, as the hands were being placed upon Elder Plummer’s head, Elder Skinner interrupted the proceedings by commanding his attendants to “…roll me out there.” He instructed the Bishops’ Council and Presbytery Board members to remove their hands from Elder Plummer’s head and placed his own hand upon Elder Plummer’s head first, with the Bishops and Board members placing their hands on top of his.

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He then proclaimed Elder Howard Z. Plummer leader of the Church of God and Saints of Christ.

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Elder Calvin Samuel Skinner passed away on February 24, 1932 in Belleville, Virginia at the age of eighty-five years and seven days. His funeral was held on Sunday, February 28, 1932, in Belleville. He was eulogized by Bishop H. Z. Plummer.​​