A method of preparing a calcium phosphate catalyst, comprising reacting a water-soluble calcium salt with a water-soluble phosphoric acid salt in aqueous ammonia to form a precipitate, separating said precipitate from the reaction mixture, shaping said precipitate, drying said precipitate, and subjecting said precipitate to heat treatment within a temperature range of 450.degree. to 600.degree. C. in the presence of steam mixed with phosphoric acid, or an organic compound, or phosphoric acid and an inert gas, or phosphoric acid and air, or an organic compound and an inert gas, said organic compound being selected from the group consisting of an aldehyde, an oxygen-containing heterocyclic compound, an alcohol, and a diene hydrocarbon.