History
Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, Incorporated
(Revised September, 2012)
Friendship Missionary Baptist Church was organized on October 16, 1938 in the private home of Brother and Sister Harris. There were eight (8) people who participated in the organization. Reverend William, Reverend Smith and Reverend Jones conducted brief pastorates. The fourth pastor, Reverend Harry B. Sampson, Senior was called in April of 1943, and served until his death on November 30, 1971.
At the time that Reverend Harry B. Sampson, Senior was called as pastor, Friendship was worshipping in a small frame building. Soon after his call, Reverend Sampson led the church in the construction of a brick building surrounding the smaller building, which was completed and dedicated in 1947, and which yet stands and is labeled The Memorial Building. Further, Reverend Sampson led the church in the purchase of two additional lots, as well as modernizing the then completed sanctuary with modern indoor plumbing facilities. Because of church membership growth, in 1963, Reverend Sampson led the congregation in the construction and completion of a larger facility, which still serves as the sanctuary, which was erected on the two lots adjacent to the previous sanctuary building. Other capital improvements during the pastoral ministry of Reverend Harry B. Sampson include, but are not limited to the purchase of: water coolers, organ, piano, air conditioning units, public address system, pews and pulpit furniture. Under the pastorate of The Reverend Harry B. Sampson, Friendship remained affiliated with The Puritan Association, and later became affiliated with The Baptist Mission District Association, of which Reverend Harry B. Sampson was the first Moderator. The State Convention Affiliation was with The American Baptist State Convention of Texas. The National affiliation was with National Baptist Convention of America.
Upon the demise of Reverend Harry B. Sampson Senior, who served Friendship for 28 years, on January 23, 1972, Friendship extended the call to Reverend Franklin D. Sampson, who accepted the call to be Friendship’s fifth pastor. Capital improvements under the pastoral ministry of Reverend Franklin D. Sampson include but are not limited to: asphalt paving of the parking lot; new air conditioning units; remodeling of the 1947 sanctuary building into classrooms and offices; remodeling of the 1963 sanctuary building; purchase of state of the art sound system; purchase of a grocery store located at 7901 Lockwood @ Bennington; purchase of 5 vacant community lots, remotely located from the church for future community development, (two additional vacant lots were donated by Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Yee), and 8 lots contiguous to The Church Campus; purchase of house and land contiguous to the 1963 sanctuary building and rehabilitated the house for classroom use. Ministries introduced and begun under this pastoral ministry include but are not limited to Youth Enrichment Summer (YES) Program and in collaboration with Visions of Faith Ministries, Inc. and Trinity Gardens Integral Forces, Inc., providing the space, volunteers, curriculum, and nourishments for an After School Program for students of J. C. Sanderson Elementary School, which is located across the street from our church; Trinity Gardens Integral Forces, Inc. was organized out of the Home Mission Ministry of our church in June, 1985 for the purpose of community involvement, participation, development, and restoration. Under this pastoral ministry, ministries have been organized for the purpose of Benevolence, Education, Evangelism, and Stewardship. Friendship has continued to serve God and man, and according to her Mission Statement, will continue to do so until Christ’s return.
Plans for the construction of a new Educational and Fellowship Building for the 21st Century were launched in October 1997. Ground Breaking for The Educational and Fellowship Building (known as The F. D. Sampson and Friends For Life Building) was held on April 29, 2001. The Preacher for the Ground Breaking Service was The Reverend James W. Glynn of Houston, Texas. The Cornerstone Laying Service was held on September 29, 2002. The Preacher for The Cornerstone Laying Service was The Reverend Doctor E. Edward Jones of Shreveport, Louisiana, and the President of The National Baptist Convention of America, Inc.. The Dedication of the F. D. Sampson and Friends For Life Building was held on October 23, 2003. The preacher for the Dedication Service was the Reverend J. Carlton Allen of San Antonio, Texas.
The real estate stewardship of Friendship, as of January 2005 consist of The H. B. Sampson Senior Memorial Building, Sanctuary Building, The F. D. Sampson and Friends For Life Building, (these 3 buildings are sitting on 4 lots), there is 1 house remotely located at 4435 Bennington, and 14 additional lots in Trinity Garden Community (2 on Lockwood, 1 on Lavender, 11 on Bennington), and 2 lots in Bonita Gardens (on Los Angeles).
Under the pastorate of The Reverend Franklin D. Sampson, Friendship has held denominational affiliations on the local level with Unity Missionary Baptist General Association, and Independent Missionary Baptist General Association. On the state level, our affiliation has been with The American Baptist State Convention of Texas and The Missionary Baptist General Convention of Texas. Our National affiliation has remained with The National Baptist Convention of America, Incorporated.
On Saturday, September 13, 2008, Hurricane Ike hit Houston, Texas, causing great devastation, and causing such damages that we were not able to worship in the Sanctuary Building. Due to these damages, we conducted Worship Services in the F. D. Sampson and Friends For Life Building from September 21, 2008 until April 12, 2009. On that day, after repairs and renovations to the Sanctuary Building, (which was also Resurrection Celebration Day), Friendship Re-Entered and Rededicated the Sanctuary Building (Bldg. B) to the glory of God.
