Reverend Robert James White was called to serve the Friendship Baptist Church. He immediately began to work to get the Church out of debt. During his ministry, the main sanctuary was remodeled and completed in 1934. Deacons who stood firmly with Reverend White during these tiring years were M.M.R. Thomas, W.T. Borden, B.J. Holmes, Harvey Byrd, E.G. Wallace, Dave Tolliver, Sr., Dock Fain, John Landrum, Paul Powell, James M. Randall, George McKinley, Garfield Whatley, Ting Mack, Tom Hall, John Freeman, Tom Jackson, Eli Caver, Herman Green, George Chandler, Jim Hall, Josh Joshua, Green Mills, Robert Parks, W.W. Thomas, R.C. Gunn, Mac McCall, James M. Randall, Robert Spears, Leslie Jones, L.B. Joshua, Dr. F.D. Jackson, Isaiah Garrett, Willie Morris, Carl Chatman, Malachi Swain, O.J. Borden, John Treadwell, Glover Smedley, Charlie Richardson, Elmer Jackson, Deacon Agnew, Henry Curry, Lochinvar Swain, Tom Zellars, Sherman Levitt, James Caver and Matthew Junks. Deacons also served as trustees of the church during his ministry, Several ministers served as associate with Reverend White, namely Reverend William Cobb, Reverend Henry Glover, Reverend Will Wysinger, Reverend Robert Pawe, Reverend Clay, Reverend Cornelius West, Reverend C. Williams, Reverend Tom Lindsey, Reverend John Elston and Reverend Carl Wilson.

 

Church accomplishments during his ministry: church’s debt was paid off, a parsonage and land were obtained, in 1948 an educational building was constructed. New pews and carpet were put in the main sanctuary, a central heating system was installed, modern musical instruments and windows were placed in the main sanctuary. The first church bulletin was printed in October 1952. Lights from downtown streets of Anniston were placed on the grounds. Reverend White was a state and national leader.