Our History

On June 4, 1893, there was a meeting, held at Mount Bethel Methodist
Church in Spartanburg County, S.C., for the purpose of organizing a
Baptist Church. After satisfying the council that their action had been
prompted by pure motives, these organized themselves into a Baptist
Church. The Church Covenant and Articles of Faith as set forth in Dr.
Pendleton's Church Manual were adopted. By an act of the body, the
Church took the name Friendship Baptist Church of Christ. A pastor was
not called until they met again on June 24, 1893. They unanimously
called Rev. W. E. Johnson as pastor. Four deacons were also elected that
day.

The Church soon started meeting in the Ballenger school building. The
church used the building for conference on Saturday preceding the
fourth Sunday and also on the fourth Sunday for regular church meetings.
Both of these meetings were held in the afternoon. In July, 1894, the
record shows that the church had thirty three members.

The first building was built in 1907. Rev. J.E. McManaway was serving
as pastor during the construction period. In 1945 the church purchased a
house for the pastor. Rev. Palmer Leonard was the first pastor to
occupy the parsonage. This particular house was sold in 1959, and the
money was applied toward the new parsonage which was built the same
year. This new parsonage was constructed while Rev. T. Alfred Woolbright
was serving as pastor.

In 1953, under the leadership of Rev. B. Milford Vaughn, the church
built a new sanctuary. The church presently uses this structure, having
undergone major remodeling on two occasions. An educational building was
built in 1963. Rev. T. Alfred Woolbright was pastor at the time the
educational building was erected.

In 2000, under the leadership of Rev. Jim Bates, the church opened
its new Family Life Center. Rev. Bates served the church until 2003.
Rev. Steve Durham was called as pastor in June 2004. Today the church
continues to serve the Lord with over 500 members.