"Everyone's Welcome Aboard the Ship"
Friendship Baptist Church History
I have given you a land for which ye did not labour, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and oliveyards which ye planted not do ye eat - Joshua 24:13. The Friendship Baptist Church was organized in 1925, under the leadership of Rev. Clark, in a small frame house in Austin Quarter with a membership of twenty-five women. The church was known as "the friendly church on the corner." Following Rev. Clark the church pastors were Reverends Johnson, Brown, and H. A. Hamner.
After many years of struggling the membership grew, and in 1944 Friendship Baptist Church moved from Austin Quarter to 2901 22nd Street. Once again the Lord had given us a land by which we did not labor. A building committee was formed and Rev. Austin Byrd, Associate Minister was appointed secretary. Money was borrowed to construct a larger frame building 30 x 40 feet, with no deacons, just a few faithful working women such as Sisters Bessie Sleigh, Viola Jones, Ester Williams, Sarah Griffin, Anna Moore, Beatrice Shelton (still actively serving), C. Williams, and Lisa Grant. Lisa Grant served 16 years as Church Clerk. Anna Moore was the church first Sunday School Superintendent. After the building was completed, Brothers Morgan and Willie Clayton were Friendship's first deacons.
In 1947 Rev. J. C. Carter became pastor. Under his leadership a block building was built and the membership grew rapidly. There was a need for more deacons and in 1948 Brothers L. B. Benson and Tom DeLoach were ordained. They were followed by Deacons Ross Knox, T. G. Ward, F. Jenkins, and Johnson. Later years others were added including Joe Smith, W. L. Sherfield, Sterling Thomas, Gilbert and White. The Sunday School was the fastest growing department. Deacon Knox served 16 years as superintendent and was followed by Sister Lucille Morgan, who was assisted by Bro. Joe Summerville.
September 5, 1957 Dedication and Cornerstone Laying Services were held and Sister Rose Griffin (for whom the Rose Griffin Circle is named today), President of the Mission and Sister Lida Mays began to organize other departments, such as the Young Matrons, Red Circle, Crusaders and Sunbeam Band. Choir #1 was the first choir, singing without a piano until one was purchased for $25. Sister Cody was the first church musician.
Rev. William King became pastor in 1962. Under his leadership membership grew to approximately 365 and five new deacons were added to the deacon board. They were Deacons George Foster, Troy Holley, Davie Greene, John Gray and Luther Spencer, who served several years as Church Clerk and Sunday School Superintendent for 12 years. During this administration the church at 22nd Street and 29th Avenue was remodeled adding classrooms and kitchen downstairs.
On December 5, 1982, Rev. Myron Hamner, Sr. became the seventh and present pastor of the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. Under his guidance membership more than doubled and church improvements were tremendous. At the former site on 22nd Street the baptism pool was relocated and mirrors, stained glass windows and a glass front enclosure was installed. In addition a bus, van, and tape ministry was added to spread the gospel to the sick and shut-in members. Deacons Jamie Noland, John Sterling, Albert Tanksley, and Charles Wells were added to the deacon board. Sisters Mattie German was serving as Church Clerk, Linda Henley (Foster) was serving as Financial secretary and Deacon Willie Davis was serving as Treasurer. Deacon John Gray served as Sunday School Superintendent and Bro. Leotis Williams served as Assistant. Sister Brenda Elliott served as Secretary.
On February 14, 1988 an early Sunday morning fire gutted the church on 22nd Street and 29th Avenue which had been our cherished worshipping place for 44 years. That morning hearts were heavy and sadden, but just as we had been taught through the years, we knew the Lord would carry us through. Doors started opening up. Rollins Mortuary offered the use of their sanctuary. We were thankful and accepted his invitation for one Sunday but more room was needed. NABD Religious Center opened its' doors to us and was our place of worship for four months. We praised God in the mist of our troubles; we had the faith.
A facility known as the West End Christian School was vacant and a few trustees and deacons along with the pastor secured our present location. A new chapter began as we gathered in front of our past place of worship to parade by motorcade to our present place of worship. Unity abound as we arrived and Pastor Hamner cut the ribbon. Oh how we praised God in his sanctuary. God had once again given us a land by which we did not labor.
Rev. Ulysses Lewis joined the fellowship and became Assistant Pastor under Pastor Hamner's direction in 1989. He motivated the youth department and they still have that admiration for him today. He was called to pastor the Piney Grove Baptist Church. Deacons Nathaniel Key, Clyde Foster and Willie Huff were later added to the Deacons Ministry. FBC became a catalyst in aiding Phoenix House residents to get back into the main stream.
Worship services has always been enhanced by the singing of the gospel. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Brother Lonnie Thomas, Minister of Music, was led to write music for a live recording. Brother Thomas along with Brother Cedric Edwards, Director of Choirs, Sisters Janice Drew, Regina Edwards and others, wrote lyrics and composed the songs. We set out to make a live recording. Rehearsals were intense and frequent, but it was worth the added efforts because in August, 1993 the FBC Mass Choir Live cut its first recording, "We've come this far by faith." It was narrated by the Rev. Daniel Dixon and Pastor Hamner gave the message.
Many changes have taken place, yet Rev. Myron Hamner is still preaching the gospel, souls are still being saved, and people are still uniting with the church. In 1994, the following officers were serving. Sister Annie Brown, Sunday School Superintendent, and Sister Mary Wills, Assistant. Deacon Nathaniel Key was serving as Church Clerk, Sister Pearl Carpenter, Financial Secretary; Brother T. C. Logan, Treasurer; and Sister Geneva Brown, Secretary. The sick outreach, clothing bank outreach, and Matrons Meals on Wheels were established to clothe and feed those in need. As the years passed by numerous additions were added to the church: new roof, renovated bathrooms, ceiling fans, awning, two additional vans, handicap ramp, and new pews. In January 1995, Jeffery Thompson became Assistant Pastor to Rev. Walter Robinson at Plum Grove Baptist Church. In January of 1996, Friendship held mortgage burning during Sunday mid morning services after seven years.
Early morning worship services was started by Pastor Hamner recognition of a need to accommodate those members who worked nights or had conflicting schedules. The old Indian Rivers facility was purchased and now is used for various youth programs and the Storks Nest. Six deacons were added: Dea. Darnell Ball, Dea. Kelly Bonner, Dea. James Harris, Dea. Ervin Latham, Jr., Dea. Billy Walker, and Dea. James Walker. Many licenses and ordinations were accepted: Rev. Bobby Hudson, Rev. Will Riley, Rev. William Baker, Rev. Matthew Wilson, Rev. Ky Porter, and Rev. Nick Burrell. Dea. Johnny Kirk, Dea. Julius Watson, Dea. Booker Crawford, and Dea. Franklin Garner was added to the Deacons Ministry. Rev. Greg Jones and Rev. James Maddox joined and became Associate Ministers. Bro. L. D. Jackson served faithfully as Church Treasurer until his health failed. Sis. Ollie Cooper served for two years as Church Clerk.
Lourene Cannon became Church Clerk in January 2003 and other officers currently serving are: Bro. Tommy Wilkins, Sr., Treasurer; Bro. Willie Hood, Assistant Treasurer; Sis. Rosetta Royal, Financial Secretary; Fayetta Royal, Secretary; Bro. Ervin Latham, Sr., Trustee Chairman; Dea. Nathaniel Key, Deacon Chairman; Deacon L. B. Benson, Deacon Chairman Emeritus; Sis. Annie Brown, Director of Sunday School; and Sis. Willie Wright, Assistant Director of Sunday School.
In February, 2003 Rev. Hamner celebrated 50 years of preaching the gospel and 21 years as pastor. Rev. Matthew Wilson, a talented organist and minister was called to pastor Salem Baptist Church in Greensboro and Rev. James Maddox an outstanding minister of the gospel was called to pastor St. John Baptist Church in Panola. In November of 2003, Rev. Cedric Edwards was asked to serve as Assistant Pastor. April, 2004 Friendship Baptist Church website (www.friendshiptuscaloosa.org) went live and now we can share God's church with the world. November of 2005, Rev. Jeffery Thompson was installed as Pastor of Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, in Prattville, AL.
In 2006, Rev. Hamner celebrated 24 years as pastor with an Appreciation Banquet held in his honor. Souls continually are being saved, evidenced by baptismal services held every month in 2006. Dea. Larry Wilson joined the Deacon's Ministry from New Prospect Baptist Church. In January 2007, dedication was expressed for the Late Deacon L.B. Benson. A pew plaque and a wall plaque were placed in his honor. The fellowship hall was renamed Dea. L.B. Benson Fellowship Hall. Also dedicated were the new church organ and new marquee that was erected on the corner of 8th Street and 34th Avenue. Rev. William Warren came to Friendship after Hurricane Katrina and has become an intrical part of the church. He was called into the ministry and subsequently have been licensed and ordained.
Bro. Robert Jones also was called into the ministry and preached his first sermon in 2007. Rev. Cedric Edwards was led into other endeavors and his last day as Asst. Pastor was December 31, 2007. He has subsequently started the One Accord Church located in Northport, AL. Rev. Matthew Wilson returned to Friendship in August 2008 as one of the Associate Ministers.
Friendship Baptist Church has spanned into the 21st century. All because a seed was planted over 82 years ago by 25 dedicated women whom the Lord led to build a church. The Lord said unto us, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou has built, to put my name there forever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually, 1 Kings 9:3. Friendship Missionary Baptist Church is still known as "the friendly church on the corner."