History of the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church - Friendship Missionary Baptist Church

In 1922, the cry of God, "Go build me a church," was heard in Columbus, Ohio. The late Reverend Solomon M. Smith and his companion, the late Sister Ida Smith, heard this call. It was in August of 1922 that Reverend Solomon M. Smith, a few Christians and his immediate family, all baptized believers in Christ, dedicated and sincere in their desire to serve God, organized a local assembly to be known as the Friendship Baptist Church. Among those who shared in this congregation were the following: Sisters Ida Smith and Emma Smith, Brother Hezekiah H. Smith, and Deacons Stevenson, Mitchell, Pace, and Cumberlander. The first meeting was held on the west side of Columbus in the home of Deacon Stevenson. Friendship Baptist Church had a very humble beginning; it was not the outgrowth from another church.

Those few faithful members soon moved by horse and wagon from the West side to a storefront, two doors from the northeast corner of Donaldson and Grant Avenues. In the same year, 1922, auxiliaries were organized - the Sunday Church School, Missionary Society, BYPU, and the Vocal Singing Choir, organized by Hezekiah H. Smith, brother of the founder. Mrs. Della Smith Williams, daughter of the founder, served as the first secretary of the Church.

These were the years of struggle - the birth and early growth of a great church. God sent others to help the cause, namely, Deacons Bob Simmons and James Milner, Brothers Joseph Johnson and Amos Johnson, and the Adams family. When Reverend Smith's health began to fail, he left Columbus and moved to Youngstown, Ohio.

In 1924, the Lord sent Reverend R. T. Gleaves to the fold to shepherd the sheep. Knowing that God is in all good works, the small congregation soon outgrew the small place of worship and secured a larger building on the southwest corner of Donaldson and Grant Avenues, 349 Donaldson Street. It was at this site that the fruits of God's promise began to unfold. Auxiliaries and choirs were organized, deacons and trustees were added and it wasn't long before the last note on the church was paid.

With his farsightedness,Reverend Gleaves envisioned a more suitable church home in the same community. On the second Sunday in September of 1952, the church marched to 442 Donaldson Street where they worshipped for 10 1/2 years. These were hard working but pleasant and memorable years. They showed much progress and we enjoyed a beautiful Christian fellowship. On May 19,1963, history repeated itself. On this date, the church formed a motorcade from 442 Donaldson Street and traveled to 29 South Eureka Avenue, the new location.

Reverend Gleaves successfully pastored the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church for 48 years. In 1972, his health began to fail, and he reluctantly retired from the active ministry of the church. On October 1, 1972, he officially retired from the Pastorate and the church bestowed upon him the honor of Pastor Emeritus of the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church.

In September of 1973, another of God's Chosen was called to serve as the third pastor and shepherd over this flock of baptized believers, the Pastor G. Thomas Turner, Sr., whose grandparents had served in the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. The late Deacon John Martin, Pastor Turner's grandfather, served on the Deacon Board, and the late Sister Susie Martin, his grandmother, was a faithful member of the Missionary Society.

Since assuming the pastorate of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, many accomplishments have been made under Pastor Turner's leadership. The most notable are the souls won to Christ. He has also added greatly to the fellowship of the church and led in erecting a new church edifice in which the Friendship family entered in March of 1984.

In August of 1993, Pastor Turner led the congregation in the liquidation of the mortgage of this church edifice. In 1995, the church edifice was expanded. There was the addition of a balcony and an educational wing, enlargement of the parking area, and the opening of the Friendship Christian Learning Center, a daycare center that serves the entire community.

Friendship Missionary Baptist Church is a member of the National Missionary Baptist Convention of America, Lott Carey Foreign Missionary, Ohio Baptist General Association, and all local and district auxiliaries sponsored by this body.

The church has auxiliaries and groups to meet all needs and concerns.