Friendship Baptist Church

Part 4

It is believed that it was not until the late 1920’s that the frequency of the Sunday morning Sunday School and church service was changed from once a month to twice a month.

In the early 1930’s, the Baptist Young People’s Union (BYPU) was formed. This was the forerunner of Training Union (now known as Discipleship Training). It is said that there were very large, sometimes overflow, crowds at these meetings which took place on Sunday night. Most walked, came on horseback, or in wagons and buggies. This organization was the second one to be sponsored by the church, the first being the Sunday School.

Later the Sunday School and church service was changed to regular services each Sunday morning. In late 1950’s and early 1960’s the Baptist Brotherhood and Woman’s Missionary Union were organized in the church.

Through the years, other services became traditional. The “All-day Singing and Dinner-on-the-ground”, later became the homecoming. Traditionally “The Revival” would start that same night.

One other occasion is worthy of mention, though it has lost much of its emphasis today. This was the cleaning of the cemeteries which was always held on Memorial Day. It is said the graveyards would be covered with workers who would bring their dinners and spread together on the ground, often staying the rest of the evening, after their job was completed, and singing until late into the night.

Vacation Bible School, begun in the 1940’s, is held each year to further the Bible training and knowledge of its youth. It was held during the daytime until the late 1960’s when it was changed to the evening. An adult class has been added in more recent years also.

Christmas plays have become a tradition also, involving as many of the church’s youth as possible.

Beyond Friendship’s 150th year (July 4th) celebration was the packing of a time capsule by member Johnny Coe with Quasicentennial memorabilia pertaining to its 150th year festivities. Among the items included were anniversary articles from the Polk County News, a United States flag which had previously flown over the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., a Tennessee Bicentennial flag, photographs, a 150th year proclamation certificate, and a copy of 150 Years of Friendship. The capsule was stored in the church’s attic with a scheduled reopening at the 2026 July Homecoming (200th year celebration). Plans have also been made for the church to prepare another time capsule during its 175th year, with appropriate celebration memorabilia, to also be reopened in 2026.

Although the Baptist faith dates back to that of the first followers of Jesus during the First Century, Friendship in keeping with its Southern roots became a Southern Baptist Church, through an act of the church, sometime following 1845, when Baptists of some ten states from across the South met to form the Southern Baptist Convention.

Singing has long been an important part of church life at Friendship. The Singing Pilgrims were regularly featured participants in the church’s 1970’s history. The singing group was composed of members Wanda Carter, Annette Coe (Fugate), Brenda Steward, with Johnny Coe as pianist and manager. Bobby Hutton, son of Rev. Jimmy Hutton, was also a regular with the group for several years. He was later replaced by Buddy Creasman, and then by Rev. Tommy Perian.

The construction of a Fellowship Hall took place during the years of 1995-2001. It has a full-sized dining area with complete kitchen amenities.

Many other things of notable importance have also taken place. The Pastors of Friendship elected annually until October, 1979, when due to an act of the church, the Pastors have since been elected indefinitely (with the stipulation that the resigning Pastor must give at least prior month’s notice, or if the church is requesting the Pastor’s resignation, it is responsible fro giving the prior month’s notice).

A Benevolence Fund was established in April, 1993, for the purpose of financially aiding church members and others in the community who may have long hospital stays, job layoffs, etc. And a Benevolence Committee was chosen to determine needs.

(To be continued)