Friendship Baptist Church

Friendship Baptist Church was established in 1862 and independently organized in 1866, in the days after the Civil War, becoming Atlanta's first black Baptist autonomous congregation. The congregation, being unable to buy property, worshiped in a boxcar that was sent to Atlanta from Chattanooga, Tennessee to house the first class room of what became known as Atlanta University. A contractual agreement was made with school organizers and Friendship leaders to share this boxcar for church services and educational purposes.

The membership grew rapidly so the congregation moved to a larger building on the corner of Haynes and Markham Streets, and later to its present site at Northside Drive..

Friendship's role in black education has been unique in that Morehouse College, upon moving to Atlanta from Augusta, Georgia, in 1879, set up classes in Friendship Baptist Church, and Spelman College had its beginning in the basement of the present site in 1881. Close ties between these institutions continue to this day.

It is worthy to note that Friendship has had only six pastors in its existence to serve in years as follows:

- The Founding Pastor, the Rev Frank Quarles (1866-1881)

- The Rev. Dr. Edward Randolph Carter (1882-1944)

- The Rev. Dr. Maynard Holbrook Jackson (1945-1953)

- The Rev. Dr. Samuel Woodrow Williams (1954-1970)

- The Rev. Dr. William Vincent Guy (1971-2007), Pastor Emeritus

- The Rev. Dr. Timothy T. Boddie (2008 - )

The Reverend Dr. John W. Waters was called as Minister ad Interim after the retirement of the Reverend Dr. William V. Guy, and we are thankful for his invaluable service.

Friendship Baptist Church throughout its history, has contributed outstanding leaders in the fields of education, business and politics, including former Mayor Maynard Jackson, son of former pastor and who served three terms as Mayor of Atlanta.

Friendship's affiliations include the American Baptist Churches, USA, the Progressive National Baptist Convention, the World Baptist Alliance, and their respective regional and local units.

Ecumenically, Friendship Church is affiliated with the Christian Council of Metropolitan Atlanta, the National Council of Churches, and the World Council of Churches.

Friendship is known as the "Mother Church" among Baptists in Atlanta because of its role in harmoniously forming several other congregations throughout the city. These congregations include:

1868 Mount Zion Second Baptist Church

1870 Providence Missionary Baptist Church

1871 Wheat Street Baptist Church

1871 Paradise Baptist Church

1872 Zion Hill Baptist Church

1877 Antioch Baptist Church

1909 Little Friendship Baptist Church

1917 Union Baptist Church

The Friendship congregation (as part of its concern to provide spiritual and social uplift within the community, and through the leadership of its ministers) has provided an extensive housing ministry, including the E. R. Carter Old Folks Home ( now demolished), the Samuel W. Williams/Friendship Center Apartments and the William V. Guy Tower High-rise for the Elderly and Handicapped.

Friendship Baptist Church has consistently committed itself to the Word of God. It has been steadfast in its Mission at home and abroad. The Church has been a temple of praise and thanksgiving and, has been resolved to meeting the myriad of challenges of contemporary life.

As we continue to build on this rich history, TO GOD BE THE GLORY GREAT THINGS HE HAST DONE.