History.

1897-1914 In March of 1897, Reverend Knight and Reverend Coleman organized the Friendship Baptist Church with the assistance of their families and the following individuals: John Rodgers, Margaret Russell, Josie Arnell and George Bently. The first meeting place was located at Lake and Sangamon Streets. Reverend Harry W. Knight was elected to serve as pastor. Reverend Knight resigned in June, 1909 and the Church called the Reverend Sandy S. Matthews from Tennessee. The church, then located at Lake and Ann Streets, had a membership of 300. Property was purchased at 218 North Ada Street for $15,000.00 and we moved into our new home on the Second Sunday in May, 1911. Reverend Matthews passed on December 12, 1914.

1915-1935 In 1915, the Reverend Lucillious L. Drane, also from Tennessee, was called as pastor and served for 14 years. During his pastorate, our membership increased to 900. Many of the members owned and operated their own businesses. There was also a complete Junior Church, a baseball team and a bus was purchased for the Sunday School. Pastor Drane died on May 14, 1929 after 14 fruitful years and Friendship became known as one of the leading Churches on the Westside of Chicago.

In 1929, Friendship then called Reverend S. S. Jones of Oklahoma as pastor. This was during the Great Depression and our membership declined spiritually, financially and numerically and after serving for six years under these trying conditions, Reverend Jones resigned in 1935.

1935-1955 In the Fall of 1935, the Reverend E. L. Twine, of Mississippi became pastor. Our active membership had dwindled to 300, but after a few years under his leadership, we regained our rightful place as a leading church. Friendship moved to 1958 West Washington in 1943 and after ten years of faithful leadership, Reverend Twine departed this life on July 19, 1945.

History.

1897-1914 In March of 1897, Reverend Knight and Reverend Coleman organized the Friendship Baptist Church with the assistance of their families and the following individuals: John Rodgers, Margaret Russell, Josie Arnell and George Bently. The first meeting place was located at Lake and Sangamon Streets. Reverend Harry W. Knight was elected to serve as pastor. Reverend Knight resigned in June, 1909 and the Church called the Reverend Sandy S. Matthews from Tennessee. The church, then located at Lake and Ann Streets, had a membership of 300. Property was purchased at 218 North Ada Street for $15,000.00 and we moved into our new home on the Second Sunday in May, 1911. Reverend Matthews passed on December 12, 1914.

1915-1935 In 1915, the Reverend Lucillious L. Drane, also from Tennessee, was called as pastor and served for 14 years. During his pastorate, our membership increased to 900. Many of the members owned and operated their own businesses. There was also a complete Junior Church, a baseball team and a bus was purchased for the Sunday School. Pastor Drane died on May 14, 1929 after 14 fruitful years and Friendship became known as one of the leading Churches on the Westside of Chicago.

In 1929, Friendship then called Reverend S. S. Jones of Oklahoma as pastor. This was during the Great Depression and our membership declined spiritually, financially and numerically and after serving for six years under these trying conditions, Reverend Jones resigned in 1935.

1935-1955 In the Fall of 1935, the Reverend E. L. Twine, of Mississippi became pastor. Our active membership had dwindled to 300, but after a few years under his leadership, we regained our rightful place as a leading church. Friendship moved to 1958 West Washington in 1943 and after ten years of faithful leadership, Reverend Twine departed this life on July 19, 1945.