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The History of Friendship Baptist Church

The Friendship Baptist Church was organized in December 1946, in the home of the late Mrs. Katie Mitchell Thomas, with a membership of 6. Later that year, services moved to the home of Deacon and Mother Preston. Services, meetings, and all other church activities were held in their home for months. Ms. Ida Mae Gerald and Deacon Joe McField were instrumental founding members also.

The months passed and the few members prayed and kept the faith, trusting in God, knowing that one day their dream of having a church would come true. It was in the home of the Prestons that Friendship's first pastor, the late Rev. A.C. Ellis was called. Rev. Ellis served for one year. In 1947, A.M. Chandler of Greenwood, MS, served as pastor and services were held at Institutional A.M.E. Church.

A membership of 13 marched into the church's first sanctuary in September 1948. Mrs. Cora Bell and Mrs. Broadwater gave the church its name, Friendship Baptist Church..

Rev. Chandler was pastor until October 1948, during which time membership was increased to 86. Rev. L.H. Newsome became pastor in 1949 and served until 1968. The weekly broadcast ministry began during Rev. Newsome's first year of service. Later that year Rev. A.L. Barnes became pastor and served from 1968 until 1972.

Rev. Thomas E. Ray then picked up the baton and served as pastor until February 1978. During this time the Lord blessed us with a growing membership, more land and a bus.

Rev. Nathaniel Booker became pastor in June 1978 and served until 1989. In April of 1990, Rev. Charles E. Williams became the pastor. He served until March 1992 when he moved to Arkansas. April 1992, Rev. Larry Clark became pastor and served until October 1993. In March 1994, Rev. Marvin Adams became pastor and served until 2000.

On March 3, 2001, God blessed us with Pastor Randy Leflore as the under shepherd of this flock. His first sermon at Friendship was March 11, 2001, with his text coming from Daniel 6:16. The subject of Rev. Leflore's sermon was "God Will Deliver".

Currently under his leadership, we have 2 fifteen passenger vans. Recently, we completed construction of a fellowship hall of 1,168 square footage. Beautiful landscape with scrubs, wide steps with hand-rails for safety, a sidewalk with a wheelchair ramp, large foyer, 2 brand new restrooms with handicap access, 12 brand new pews, 5 classrooms for Sunday School, a brand new finance room, beautification storage room, new flooring , carpet, elegant chandeliers , have all been added. Also, three lots across the street was purchased for additional parking. Our fellowship hall was built was built and named The Dan C. Nichols Fellowship Hall.

God who has provided us with a marvelous leader and the resources to carry out our Christian responsibilities. Pastor Leflore and the Friendship Congregation would be delighted to have you join us. All visitors are welcome and the membership is open to all who choose to join. Truly the Lord has blessed this place.