Bishop Calvin McNeil was born on November 5, 1947 in Pamplico, South Carolina to the late Deacon Orin and mother, Mettie Rue McNeil. He grew up at home with two sisters, Nora Helen McNeil-Johnson (deceased) and Sandra McNeil. 

He studied at Gibbs High School, graduating as salutatorian in 1965. He later pursued advanced training at Florence Darlington Technical College in Florence, South Carolina. While at Gibbs, Bishop McNeil met the love of his life Gertie Bell Kelly, who later became his wife. They have two sons, Calvin Levern and Orin Bradford. Their grandchildren are Aiverie, Ashley, Orin Bradford II, Morgan, & Victoria Paris. 

In 1978, Apostle Fred Graham introduced Bishop McNeil to salvation. He was baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and filled with the Holy Ghost. Called to ministry in 1979, he became the  pastor of Gethsemane Apostolic Church in Lynchburg, SC, in 1981. He began his pastoral duties in Lamar and Lynchburg, eventually merging a group with the Gethsemane congregation to form a single church in Lynchburg. He, along with his wife, sons, and congregants conducted services in an old warehouse for several years. Following a period of prayer, fasting, and seeking divine guidance, Bishop McNeil led the church in the acquisition of land on Highway 76 and constructed their initial sanctuary in 1984, later expanding it in 1991. Then Elder Calvin McNeil was consecrated as a Bishop in 1988. Numerous ministries were established in the church during this period. In 2003, construction commenced on a larger sanctuary, which was completed on June 18, 2005. In 2004, he was appointed to serve as Vice Presiding Prelate of Pentecostal United Church of Christ (Apostolic), Inc. Due to health challenges, Bishop Calvin McNeil retired from his position as Senior Pastor on  February 2, 2025, and peacefully entered into eternal rest on March 15, 2025. 

Those who are left to mourn and celebrate his victorious life include his wife of 57 years, Lady Gertie McNeil; children Calvin Levern (Crystal) and Orin Bradford (Amy); grandchildren Aiverie Jahleel Malloy, Ashley Irene McNeil, Orin Bradford (Alexis) McNeil II, Morgan Andria McNeil and Victoria Paris McNeil; great grandchildren Orin Bradford McNeil III and Kennedy Alyse McNeil; sister Sandra McNeil; brother Deacon Willie Joe (Queen Elizabeth) Graham; brothers-in-law Elijah (Nancy) Kelly and Jimmy Johnson; a host of uncles and aunts; nieces and nephews; cousins; adopted sons and daughters in the gospel and countless treasured members of Gethsemane Apostolic Church and countless members in the body of Christ.