FRIENDSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH CEMETERY, Anderson County, SC A.K.A. Honea Path, SC Version 2.3, 21-Dec-2003, A081.TXT, A081 **************************************************************** REPRODUCING NOTICE: ------------------- These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format for profit, or presentation by any other organization, or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. Paul M Kankula Seneca, SC, USA Anderson County SC GenWeb Coordinator Anderson County SC GenWeb Homestead http://www.sciway3.net/scgenweb/anderson-county/ **************************************************************** DATAFILE INPUT . : Paul M. Kankula at (visit above website) in Dec-2003 DATAFILE LAYOUT : Paul M. Kankula at (visit above website) in Dec-2003 G.P.S. MAPPING . : ____________ at ____________ in _______ HISTORY WRITE-UP : Alan Cothran at acothran@cs.com in 2002 Clerk/historian for Friendship Baptist IMAGES ......... : ____________ at ____________ in _______ LOCATION WRITE-UP: ____________ at ____________ in _______ TRANSCRIPTION .. : ____________ at ____________ in _______ **************************************************************** CEMETERY LOCATION: ------------------ > Latitude N x Longitude W CHURCH/CEMETERY HISTORY: ------------------------ Friendship Community is located three miles northeast of Honea Path. The first settlers in this community were the Harpers and Coxes. They probably selected this location because it was near a creek where corn and wheat mills were built, and near a river where a power house was located. The community was first thinly settled but after the construction of these buildings it began to grow. The book A History of the Saluda Baptist Association published in 1898 notes that the church ..was organized in the year 1821, with twenty-two members, who had been dismissed from Big Creek and Turkey Creek churches for that purpose. Moses Holland was the first pastor, but how long he served them we have no means of knowing. The community was early settled by several good families from Virginia, from whom have descended many noble citizens who have been of great worth to the Baptist church. At that time there was no church nearer than those mentioned above, either of which was at least fifteen miles away. It is true Barker's Creek was organized the same year, but it was six miles distant. But these pioneer Baptists wanted a church in their midst where their women, children and slaves might attend preaching. The church was never very prosperous; however, in 1843 its membership numbered 106... It ordained and sent forth to bless the world two ministers of the gospel... Mr. Johnny Harper gave the land for the church. The first church was an oblong shaped log building. The church met actively from 1821 to 1886, but dissolved after 65 years of existence. Between the years 1886 and 1913 there was no organized church, but preaching was held occasionally in the community schoolhouse. On October 1, 1913 Friendship Baptist Church was reorganized after a revival. Nineteen members were baptized. A more modern church building was built and the church met two Sundays a month. The Belton News of April 6, 1923 reported that On Sunday, April 1, 1923 Friendship Baptist Church was destroyed by fire, while Sunday School was in progress. The fire caught from the stove. Most of the furniture was saved, but the building was destroyed. The loss was $4,000 with $1,500 insurance. Rev. M. M. McCuen, the devoted pastor stated yesterday afternoon that a rally meeting was held Wednesday night and the officials of the church decided to get busy at once and rebuild their church. The 1954 Homecoming program states that Rev. M. M. McCuen was pastor from 1920 to 1951. His first sermon was Oct. 3, 1920 and his last sermon was the third Sunday in March, 1951. He died July 4, 1951. For the 31 years Bro. McCuen was faithful in serving this church in every way possible both in good times and in bad times. When his salary was small or delinquent he never complained. He was a wise counselor and a spiritual adviser; an understanding and a sympathetic friend to the people. Some Sunday School rooms with a basement were added to the church building just before his ministry closed. Rev. George Owens was supply pastor from the fourth Sunday in March, 1951 to the fourth Sunday in April, 1953. During the time Rev. Owens was pastor the six- room brick veneer pastorium was built. The first full time pastor was Jimmy Webb, who served from 1953 to 1956. The church experienced a good period of growth during the pastorate of E.T. McLane from 1956 to 1962. During this time an organ and baptistry were added to the church. In 1966 the church voted to build a new building, which was completed in 1968 under the pastorate of Ray Patterson. During the pastorate of William Rivers (1975-1978), the church was renovated, with eight classrooms, a kitchen and gymnasium added. The church began a radio broadcast on a local AM station. The broadcast continues to this day at 9 AM on Sunday mornings on WRIX 103.1 FM. During the period from 1978 to 1983, God blessed the church by calling three members into full time ministry. Arlie Cole, Harold Phillips and Mitch Gambrell continue to serve as pastors today. The church was also blessed to have Clara Mae Robinson serve for many years as a missionary in Japan. In 1979 the church purchased land to be used for a recreation area and future parsonage. In 1980 the sanctuary was renovated and enlarged and 16 stained glass windows were added. A building to house the church buses was constructed in 1986. The present parsonage was built in 1990. The church called Tim Crawford as pastor in 1993, and he continues to serve today. During his pastorate the church has seen over a 50% growth in Sunday School attendance. Greg Black and Jason Moss have been called into full time Christian service. Children's Church began and has become very popular with the children. God has blessed our church with many young couples and babies, in addition to many salvations and other new members. The music program has grown, with a good combination of traditional hymns and more contemporary praise and worship music. A web site has been established (www.forministry.com/29654FBC1). Renovations have just been completed to convert the gymnasium into a social hall and partitioned education space. The former kitchen has been converted into nursery and preschool space to accommodate the increasing number of children. We thank God for what He has done in the past and look forward to the future as we continue to follow His leading. This history was completed in December 2002. Please refer to the attached list showing pastors, interim pastors and notable dates and events in the church's history. Friendship Baptist Church 220 Friendship Church Road Honea Path, SC 29654 (864) 369-7166 www.forministry.com/29654FBC1 friendshipbchpsc@cs.com Rev. Tim Crawford 3613 Shady Grove Road Honea Path, SC 29654 (864) 369-7875 revtlc@covad.net Various Dates in Friendship Baptist Church History 1821 Church organized - Moses Holland pastor 1836-1847 William McGee 1847-1848 William Kay 1848-1849 V. Young 1849 J. Cheek 1851-1855 Charles P. Dean 1855-1858 J M Gambrell 1858-1860 William Davis 1860 Robert King 1860-1866 Rev. Young 1867-1870 R M King 1870-1882 W P Martin 1882-1885 Mike McGee 1886 Richard W Burts - church dissolved 1886-1913 occasional preaching - Nathaniel Gaines, Billy Martin, Mike McGee, Mercer King, R J Williams, R H Burriss 1913 October 1 - church reorganized after a revival with 19 baptisms 1913 Edward S Reeves 1917 Ben F Allen 1920 M M McCuen - second and fourth Sundays in afternoon 1922 April 1 - Easter Sunday - church burned Church held in old school house while new church being built 1923 October - new church used 1951 George Owens - interim 1952 Sunday School rooms and basement added 1953 First Parsonage built 1953 James L Webb - first full time pastor 1956 E T McLane - organ and baptistry installed 1962 Foster McKinney 1963 S A Phillips 1966 Church voted to build new building 1967 Ray Patterson 1968 Church used for first service 1972 First church directory 1974 F M Lindler, interim 1975 William Rivers 1976 Renovations and eight classrooms, kitchen and gym added 1977 Radio broadcast began 1978 First church bus bought 1978 Lewis McGaha, interim pastor 1978 Arlie Cole ordained 1979 Jerry Mize 1979 Harold Phillips ordained 1979 Land for ball field and future parsonage bought 1980 Sanctuary renovated and enlarged 1982 Lewis McGaha, interim 1983 James Dyar 1983 Church directory 1983 Mitch Gambrell ordained 1986 Bus building built 1988 Church directory 1988 Norton Craig, interim 1989 Ron Culbertson 1990 Present Parsonage built 1992 Earl Kelly, interim 1992 Church directory 1993 Tim Crawford 1995 Incorporation, Bylaws, new steeple and van 1996 Church directory 1997 Greg Black ordained 1999 Jason Moss ordained and became music director 2001 Vic Johnson elected music director 2001 Church directory 2001 Web site established 2001 Children's church began 2002 Gym converted to social hall and partitioned education space 2002 Old kitchen converted to Nursery and Preschool space TOMBSTONE TRANSCRIPTION NOTES: ------------------------------ a. = age at death b. = date-of-birth d. = date-of-death h. = husband m. = married p. = parents w. = wife >