In March 1890, our church had its beginning under the leadership of the late Reverend N.M. Pulium, Reverend W.H. Whatley, Reverend Carter Pyles and Reverend W.M. Munds. The church was known as the Galilee Baptist Church (presently Seventeenth Street Baptist Church). The church had grown so much that the Friendship Baptist Church was established to accommodate the people of the community.

Reverend N.M. Pulium served as the first pastor of the church. He served from 1890 – 1893. The succeeding ministers were Reverend L.F. O’Bryant, 1894 – 1895, and Reverend F.R. Kennedy, 1895 – 1899. During the ministry of the afore-mentioned, the church services were held under a tent in the Sweet Valley Community (now known as Lincoln Park).

The church moved to its first building at 1300 Brown Avenue where in 1900, Reverend Eddie Moore was called to pastor Friendship Baptist Church. During his ministry, in April 1905, the building burned. The church moved again under a tent in the area of what is now Claxton Street and Stephens Avenue which was known as the Grove. He served until 1908.

In 1909, Reverend W.L. Maddox was called to pastor Friendship Baptist Church. The present site, the corner of Fourteenth Street and Brown Avenue was purchased in 1910 and a wooden building was constructed. Some of the staunch supporters during these difficult times were Deacons: C. Russell, Green Mills, Eli Caver, Robert Parks, L.B. Joshua, Matthew Junks, W.W. Thomas, P.C. Gunn, G. Chandler, John Landrum and Mac McCall. Serving as associate pastor was Reverend Sam Ware. In 1921, due to the increase in membership, Reverend Maddox and members demolished the wooden frame edifice and constructed the present site. During this time services were held on West 15th Street, between Brown Avenue and Stephens Avenue. Since there was not a baptistery area for the church, the candidates were baptized in a pond known as the furnace located between 13th and 15th street. Reverend Maddox’s tenure of service ended in 1923.