Friendship Baptist Church

 

                                                  1905


                                        

 

 


The late REVEREND J. C. TAYLOR and a small group organized the Friendship Baptist Church on Woodland Avenue in the year of 1905.  This group later moved to Canton Avenue in Toledo, Ohio where for two years they functioned as a Mission.  August 9 1909 the group moved to 30 N. 10th Street.

 

 

Reverend J.C.  Taylor was a graduate of Union University in Richmond, Virginia.  He was an aggressive person as well as an eminent scholar, and he sought to implant those characteristics in the new Church.

 

Mr. William McCaughlin gave Friendship Baptist Church the name.

 

After the accidental death of the Reverend J. C. Taylor.  Reverend W.L. Harris was pastor for two years.  It was under Reverend Harris administration the cornerstone of the new church was laid.

 

After Reverend W.L. Harris’s resignation.  Reverend E. J. Richardson, whose pastorate continued for nine years.  It was during his administration the remainder of the debt of the Church building was paid.

 

After Reverend Richardson resigned from the Church, the membership of Friendship Baptist Church searched for a leader who could lead them into the ways of peace and prosperity.

 

After much deliberation and searching, Reverend Giles Junius Johnson was called from the Second Baptist Church in Lima, Ohio to the pastorate.  Reverend Johnson was a graduate of the Virginia Theological Seminary and College, Lynchburg, Virginia.  He also had specialized in Religious Education at West Virginia State College.  Reverend Johnson began his pastorate November 8 1942.

 

 

On May 2 1971 ground-breaking ceremonies were held and building and construction of the educational Building commenced.  The opening of the new Educational Building was on April 7 1972, with dedication ceremonies being held and witnessed on May 7 1972.   It was the determination that this facility would serve the needs of all age groups, all races and nations in Christian standards and education.

 

We are proud to point out that housed in the educational Building is a library in honor of Reverend H.F.D. Murphy, sponsored by the Ideal Workers and opened on May 27 1973, titled, “Hallam Frederick Douglas Murphy Library”

 

The Church supports mission and educational work through Negro-College Fund Drives, Scholarships, the American Baptist Convention, Lott Carey and National Baptist Convention, Foreign Mission Board as well as the Benevolent program and Local Council of Churches.

 

There are many annual programs that take outstanding note and merit, those being our Church Anniversary, Pastor’s Anniversary, Women and men’s Day programs

Organizational Tea, Departmental and Auxiliary Programs.  There is always a program of Christian development and training at Friendship.

 

There are many personalities that are involved in the workings and growth of this great church.  The leadership and strength for this continued spiritual inspiration is noted in the personality of our pastor and his official board with the tentacles of the membership involved in doing a great service in the community and the city of Toledo, Ohio

 

 

 

 

Friendship Baptist Church

 

1984

 


 

3232 Nebraska Avenue

 

 

 

The ground breaking for the new church sanctuary was held on Sunday, April 1 1984 at 4:00 p.m. at the church site. The last service was held at 30 North Tenth Street on Sunday, May 20 1984.  The congregation moved to the Education Building the following week for all worships and general service.

 

The Pastor Emeritus could not have led the way to the unequaled success in the Church without the aid of first, the Holy Spirit and secondly, a capable, devoted and efficient wife, Mrs. Esther Juanita Johnson, who herself was a native of Ohio and a graduate of Ohio University.

 

The Church has been reorganized and is continuously seeking the Mission more than ever before in its history.  It is truly a haven for the oppressed, the shadow of a Great Rock in a Merry Land, a Fountain of Refreshing Water by the Highway of Life, a Relief to Sinners, and is a real House of God.

 

The Reverend Duane C. Tisdale became Interim Pastor at Friendship Baptist Church October 31 1985 and our official pastor and minister December 9 1986

 

With admirable determination, our Pastor has strive to implement in his initiated church program mandates begun by the late G. J. Johnson: the Offices’ Training Course; a New Membership Training Course; the Music Department has been reorganized; the Youth and Young Adult Choir has emerged; Bible Study Class; church attendance in all areas is, indeed, a declaration of his righteousness; Tithes and Offerings; a beautification and landscaped program has been completed.

 

Our Athletic Department has increased tremendously – because as they say “they are doing it God’s way.”

 

The G.J. Johnson Memorial Scholarship Fund was organized 1987 in order to help some deserving young person obtain an education.

 

One of the new activities established is the Ethnic Festival.

 

Under the leadership of Rev. D. C. Tisdale we were able to reduce and make our final mortgage payment will in advance of the prescribed time.

 

Both the tape Ministry and the Radio Broadcasting have been implemented, spreading the “good news” to the sick and shut-in.

 

The Church saw a need to purchase a ministry van, bring members who were without transportation to the church to hear the gospel.

 

The Fellowship Hall has been dedicated as the “ G.J. Johnson Memorial Hall”, which in itself demonstrates our motto: “Friendship Made Real to Everybody of All Nations”.

 

The Church saw the need to renovate the G.  J. Johnson Memorial Hall, providing more space for activities.

 

The Church has appointed Co-Chairpersons to the Deacon Board.  Our faithful God is the Chairperson.

 

By the grace of God, new Deacons and Trustees have been added to our official board

 

Our membership has continued to grow under our present Pastor.  We continue to give God the Glory and praise for which He is truly and forever worthy.

 

 

 

 


 

 

 


Rev. Duane C. Tisdale, Pastor

Pastor Duane C. Tisdale confessed his call to the ministry in 1973, and was ordained to preach in 1978.  September, 1985 Pastor Tisdale accepted the call to become the Assistant Pastor of Friendship Baptist Church, later he was elected Interim Pastor in November of the same year.  In December, 1986 he became the Pastor of Friendship Baptist Church. 

 

Pastor Tisdale has truly been anointed by the Lord in his teaching, counseling and guidance, and he has a great concern for not only his flock but also the community as a whole.  Under his pastorate the Friendship Baptist Church expect to reach higher grounds as we go forth with the “new vision.”  

 

Pastor Tisdale incepted the idea of “New Vision,” Friendship Baptist Church has adopted the New Vision as its’ Church Vision.  The Vision is quite simple and direct, it is “To Minister To The Total Man”  This Vision is accomplished through a Ministry that encompasses core areas and disciplines.  The core areas relate to the Credit Union; Covenant Churches; Elderly Program; Rehabilitation programs; Day Care Programs; Group Homes; and Tutorial Programs.  The Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union became a reality in 1996 and is a result of the New Vision inspiration

 

Friendship Baptist Church integrates all areas that affect the man, His family and how he worships through New Vision.  It is a Holistic Ministry that encompasses the total man.

 

Pastor Tisdale is a member of the Baptist Convention; National Baptist Convention: Toledo United for Social Action; and the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship.  On the National level in the Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship, Pastor Tisdale is on the Board in the Pastor’s Division.  On the state level of The Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship he is State Director of the Pastor’s Division.

 

Pastor Tisdale would say that his most esteemed membership or affiliation is with The Body Of Christ and in the fact that he is Saved.

 

Pastor Tisdale received his Bachelors in Religious Education From the Calvary Bible Institute, Toledo, Ohio in 1981.  He also attained a Masters Degree in Black Church Studies from Ashland Theological Seminary, Ashland, Ohio in 1994.  Currently Pastor Tisdale is pursuing a Masters of Divinity in Pastoral Counseling from the Ashland Theological Seminary in Detroit, Michigan.

 

Pastor Tisdale  celebrates 12 years of marriage to his Beautiful wife, Thelma.  Pastor Tisdale and his wife have five children Latonya, Jerel, Samuel, Joshua, and Sarah.